Treat-and-extend benefits maintained at 3 years

Carl D. Regillo, MD, FACS, reported this week that visual acuity and anatomical improvements obtained with a treat-and-extend protocol for wet AMD were sustained at three years.

Dr. Regillo’s retrospective, consecutive case series followed patients at Wills Eye Hospital who received monthly bevacizumab or ranibizumab treatment until there were no signs of neovascularization as seen on SD-OCT.  Treatment was then extended by intervals of two weeks unless signs of exudation or neovascularization were observed.

Speaking this week at the American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting, he said visual acuity and anatomical results were well-maintained at three years, with an average of 17 visits over three years and with fewer ancillary tests.

Though his data is retrospective, he said he expects more data will be available soon from comparative trials, from within the United States and internationally.

“The good news is that within the next few years, we’ll have some comparative trials to draw from,” Regillo said. “In our study, we show an effective visual anatomic result that is well-maintained at three years, and we’re not seeing any signs of drop-off.”