Exacerbation of pigment epithelial detachment following aflibercept: A case of bevacizumab rescue

Abstract

Purpose: We describe a 61-year-old female patient with a retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) of the left eye in the setting of neovascular aged-macular degeneration (nAMD) with unanticipated responses to aflibercept and bevacizumab. Observations: A reduction of PED size from 423 μm to 309 μm and vision improvement (20/150- to 20/40) were observed after five consecutive monthly injections of bevacizumab. A switch to aflibercept for the following two consecutive months showed an unanticipated incremental decline in vision (20/80- at month 1, 20/150- at month 2), increased PED size (749 μm), and the development of subretinal fluid (SRF). After a switch back to bevacizumab, the subretinal fluid resolved. After nine consecutive monthly injections of bevacizumab, final vision in the left eye was 20/25, and final PED height was 84 μm. Conclusions: Different anti-VEGFs may induce varied and unpredictable responses among the most recalcitrant cases of nAMD. Unpredictably, PED size in our patient worsened with aflibercept treatment. Importance: Treatment for nAMD with large PEDs has poor level 1 evidence for guidance, and customized treatment should be considered.

Keywords

• Aflibercept
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Anti–vascular endothelial growth factor
• Bevacizumab
• Pigment epithelial detachment
• Visual acuity