Patients undergoing anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) should be given a bilateral complete retinal examination at each visit, according to a study led by Professor Abdhish R. Bhavsar from the Retina Centre in Minnesota, USA.
In a study of 803 consecutive patients with neovascular AMD, he and colleagues found that CNV developed in the asymptomatic fellow eye of 6.2 per cent (50) of patients. Professor Bhavsar reported the median age at initial presentation for treatment of the primary eye was 76 years; and the median age at diagnosis of CNV in the fellow eye was 79 years.
“The frequent visits required by anti-VEGF treatment provides the framework for performing ocular exams of the ipsilateral and contralateral, or fellow, eye,” said Professor Bhavsar. “With frequent exams, the opportunity exists for capturing asymptomatic CNV in the fellow eye.”
“Given the incidence of asymptomatic CNV in fellow eyes in this series, it would be medically indicated to perform bilateral complete ophthalmic exams, particularly including the fellow eye prior to treatment of eyes with neovascular AMD,” he said. “Since earlier treatment is typically equated with better visual acuity outcomes, treating asymptomatic eyes at the discovery of the CNV seems logical.”
Professor Bhavsar presented his findings at the 32nd annual American Society of Retina Specialists meeting in San Diego during August.
