Researchers recently discovered that only 9.2% of patients on PRN therapy for wet AMD achieved extended remission. They note that anatomical features on retinal imaging may help predict the likelihood of achieving extended remission.

This retrospective, case-control study included 830 eyes with wet AMD treated with a PRN anti-VEGF drug regimen. They defined extended remission as the absence of hemorrhage, intraretinal/subretinal fluid on OCT and leakage on fluorescein angiography for 52 weeks after cessation of therapy. The team used different models to identify predictors of achieving extended remission and to determine time until remission.

They found that 77 eyes (9.2%) achieved extended remission during an average follow-up of 236 weeks. The study authors note that extended remission was achieved earlier in eyes presenting with isolated intraretinal fluid. They add that type 3 choroidal neovascularization, a thinner choroid and the absence of macular atrophy at baseline increased the likelihood of achieving extended remission.

Lin T, Dans KC, Muftuoglu IK, et al. Factors associated with extended remission in neovascular age-related macular degeneration on pro re nata treatment protocol. Br J Opthalmol. July 13, 2019. [Epub ahead of print].