Outcomes After Switching to Faricimab for Refractive Macular Edema in Treatment-Experienced Eyes with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Yaqoob Qaseem,1 Kirk Kohwa Hou,1,2 Moritz S Pettenkofer1 1Retina Division, Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 2Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USACorrespondence: Moritz S Pettenkofer, Retina Division, Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, 200 Stein Plaza Driveway, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA, Email mpettenkofer@mednet.ucla.eduPurpose: To examine response to faricimab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nARMD) refractory to traditional anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents.Patients and methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted on eyes with nARMD with persistent subretinal and/or intraretinal fluid despite previously receiving ≥ 15 injections with ≥ 2 different anti-VEGF agents. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters were collected at baseline, initial post-injection visit, and most recent visit with OCT following last faricimab.Results: Nineteen eyes were included. Average logMAR BCVA was 0.47 ± 0.60 at baseline, 0.42 ± 0.47 at initial follow-up (p=0.38), and 0.51 ± 0.63 at final visit (p = 0.50). Average central subfield thickness (CST) was 310 ± 92 μm at baseline, 279 ± 88 μm at initial follow-up (p = 0.001), and 274 ± 100 μm at last visit (p < 0.001). 9 eyes (47%) achieved resolution of fluid at both initial and final follow-up visits.Conclusion: Faricimab mildly decreased CST and reduced fluid in some nARMD eyes refractory to traditional anti-VEGF agents but had minimal effect on BCVA.Keywords: anti-VEGF, choroidal neovascularization, faricimab, neovascular age-related macular degeneration