Clinical Ophthalmology (Oct 2014)
Successful treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration following single bevacizumab failure using aflibercept in a vitrectomized eye
Abstract
Paul Hahn Duke Eye Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA Abstract: Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pharmacotherapy in vitrectomized eyes remains a challenge due to the reduced half-life of these agents. Aflibercept may have stronger binding activity and a longer intravitreal half-life compared to bevacizumab and ranibizumab, but its use in postvitrectomy eyes has not been reported. We present a case of an 89-year-old female, with recurrent choroidal neovascularization 10 years following prior macular translocation vitrectomy surgery for neovascular age-related macular degeneration, successfully treated with monthly aflibercept injections initiated following poor response to a single initial bevacizumab injection. This report suggests that aflibercept may be an important treatment option for vitrectomized eyes requiring anti-VEGF treatment. Keywords: anti-VEGF, vitrectomized, aflibercept, neovascular age-related macular degeneration