RESPONSE TO FARICIMAB IN REFRACTORY WHITE POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY SWITCHERS.

Abstract

To evaluate anatomical and functional outcomes after four monthly intravitreal faricimab injections in White patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy previously treated with other antivascular endothelial growth factor agents. The authors retrospectively reviewed medical records and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans from patients switched to faricimab. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), OCT biomarkers, and treatment interval extension were analyzed. Ocular and systemic adverse events were recorded as part of routine clinical follow-up to assess treatment tolerability. Twenty-eight eyes were included. BCVA remained stable in 53.57% of eyes, improved by five to nine letters in 17.85% and decreased by more than five letters in 28.57%. Overall, 71.42% maintained or improved BCVA. CRT remained stable in 71.42% of eyes; increased by more than 50 µ m in four eyes; and decreased by more than 50 µ m in four eyes. Overall, 85.71% of eyes demonstrated stable or reduced CRT after conversion to faricimab. Most eyes showed no changes in OCT biomarkers. Complete resolution of subretinal fluid and intraretinal fluid occurred in 35.71% of cases. Twelve patients (42.85%) were able to have their injection interval extended. No cases of intraocular inflammation, retinal vasculitis, endophthalmitis, or systemic adverse events were observed during the study period. Switching to faricimab resulted in anatomical and functional stability in most previously treated polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy patients and was well-tolerated during the study period.