Analysis of Choriocapillaris Reperfusion Topography following Faricimab Treatment for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Non-Treatment-Naïve Patients
Max Brinkmann,
Pasquale Viggiano,
Giacomo Boscia,
Mathis Danckwardt,
Evelyn Susantija,
Tom Müller,
Niccolò Castellino,
Jakob Schweighofer,
Francesco Boscia,
Mario Damiano Toro,
Yosuf El-Shabrawi
Affiliations
Max Brinkmann
Department of Ophthalmology, Klinikum Klagenfurt, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria
Pasquale Viggiano
Department of Translational Biomedicine Neuroscience, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy
Giacomo Boscia
Department of Translational Biomedicine Neuroscience, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy
Mathis Danckwardt
Department of Ophthalmology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, 23564 Lübeck, Germany
Evelyn Susantija
Department of Ophthalmology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, 23564 Lübeck, Germany
Tom Müller
Department of Ophthalmology, Klinikum Klagenfurt, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria
Niccolò Castellino
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Jakob Schweighofer
Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Francesco Boscia
Department of Translational Biomedicine Neuroscience, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy
Mario Damiano Toro
Eye Clinic, Public Health Department, University of Naples Federico II, 80133 Naples, Italy
Yosuf El-Shabrawi
Department of Ophthalmology, Klinikum Klagenfurt, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria
To assess changes in choriocapillaris (CC) vascular density surrounding macular neovascularization (MNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) when transitioning from various anti-VEGF treatments to faricimab, using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). 25 eyes of 22 individuals who underwent intravitreal faricimab injections for neovascular AMD with type 1 MNV were included. OCTA images were obtained prior to (T0), after one (T1), and after three faricimab injections (T2); Noteworthy changes occurred in the first ring at T2 in comparison to T0. The percentage of CC flow deficit (FD%), FD average area (FDa), and FD number (FDn) in 5 rings (R1-R5) surrounding the dark halo around the MNV were calculated. A reduction in FD% at T2 compared to T0 (50.5 ± 10.2% at T0, 46.4 ± 10.6% at T2; p = 0.020) was seen, indicating CC reperfusion. Additionally, we observed a reduction in the average FDa (140.2 ± 172.1% at T0, 93.7 ± 101.8% at T2; p = 0.029). Our study highlights an FD% after three consecutive faricimab injections. The most pronounced effect was observed in the first ring, directly adjacent to the dark halo, suggesting a partial CC reperfusion surrounding the MNV, potentially indicating disease regression.
