Retinal Nerve Fiber Loss in Anti-VEGF Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration Can Be Decreased by Anterior Chamber Paracentesis.

Philip Enders, Vasilena Sitnilska, Lebriz Altay, Friederike Schaub, Philipp S Muether, Sascha Fauser

Ophthalmologica. Journal international d'ophtalmologie. International journal of ophthalmology. Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde 2017

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To analyze peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) change after long-term intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. Patients with regular anterior chamber paracentesis (ACP) prior to intravitreal injections (IVIs) were compared to those without ACP. Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) was treated in a pro re nata regimen with a minimum of 9 IVIs. RNFLT change was determined in spectral domain optical coherence tomography. In 32 patients without ACP, mean RNFLT loss (-2.16 ± 3.60 µm) was significantly higher than in 44 patients with regular ACP (0.16 ± 3.60; p = 0.029). Both groups were comparable in age (75.0 vs. 76.8 years; p = 0.35), number of IVIs (16.2 vs. 16.6; p = 0.98), and observational time (30.0 vs. 32.3 months; p = 0.32). In patients without ACP, RNFLT loss was higher compared to IVI-naive fellow eyes (p = 0.005), whereas in ACP patients, no difference was detected (p = 0.5). A moderate RNFLT loss is found in nonglaucomatous patients after injection therapy for nAMD. As it is decreased with regular ACP, tight management of intraocular pressure seems advisable. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Citation

Philip Enders, Vasilena Sitnilska, Lebriz Altay, Friederike Schaub, Philipp S Muether, Sascha Fauser. Retinal Nerve Fiber Loss in Anti-VEGF Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration Can Be Decreased by Anterior Chamber Paracentesis. Ophthalmologica. Journal international d'ophtalmologie. International journal of ophthalmology. Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde. 2017;237(2):111-118