Choroidal neovascularization regression on fluorescein angiography after VEGF blockade

Abstract

Background: Intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors stabilize vision in a majority of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and can improve vision in almost 40% of patients. However, some individuals who respond to anti-VEGF treatment still lose vision due to the formation of geographic atrophy (GA). While optical coherence tomography is often the primary imaging modality used, fluorescein angiography (FA) can provide useful information on GA development after choroidal neovascularization (CNV) regression. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate the changes seen on FA over a 47-month period for 3 patients with neovascular AMD treated with anti-VEGF inhibitors. Results: All 3 patients were initially noted to have subfoveal CNV due to AMD at baseline; they were followed up monthly and treated on an as needed basis for at least 47 months with intravitreal VEGF inhibitors. All subjects had regression of their CNV lesions after VEGF blockade. Two subjects developed foveal atrophy. Conclusions: This case series depicts the changes on FA seen over a 4-year period and shows that GA can occur with regression of CNV after treatment with VEGF inhibitors. © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.