4CPS-112 Efficacy of faricimab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration

<h3>Background and Importance</h3> Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is characterised by the growth of new vasses from the choriocapillaris extending into the retina, threatening the photoreceptors or the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Exudation, fluid accumulation and vessel haemorrhages can lead to loss of vision, due to detachment of the RPE or subretinal fibrosis, if not treated promptly. <h3>Aim and Objectives</h3> To report a case series of initial responses to intravitreal faricimab in patients already undergoing anti-VEGF therapy for nAMD. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> 70 eyes of patients with nAMD who did not improve while receiving treatment with anti-VEGF therapy (aflibercept or ranibizumab) at a tertiary hospital were included. Patients were switched to intravitreal faricmab. A prospective review of patients treated with faricimab for nAMD since October 2023 and with at least 3 months of follow-up since initiation of the new drug was performed. Collected data includes sex, age, previous treatment history, and pre- and post-treatment visual acuity. The main outcome measures are changes in visual acuity, central macular thickness and intraretinal/subretinal fluid (IRF/SRF) values before and after at least one injection of faricimab. Optical coherence tomography scans were performed before starting faricimab and afterwards, as well as VA scanning and patient symptom reporting. <h3>Results</h3> Of the total number of patients included, 41% were female. The median age was 70.2 ± years (IQR: 62.75–77). 57.1% of patients were treated in the right eye and the rest in the left eye. After at least one injection of faricimab, the majority of eyes (n= 70), showed an improvement in VA (53%), 29% remained the same and only 11% worsened. Also, 53% eyes (n=37) showed a decrease in central macular thickness. One case of endophthalmitis was observed after two faricimab injections, which was treated with intravitreal antibiotics and resolved. <h3>Conclusion and Relevance</h3> While we await the opportunity to conduct a complete data analysis with our patient series, the preliminary results appear promising. Faricimab has demonstrated improvement or maintenance of visual acuity in patients with nAMD, indicating its potential to reduce the treatment burden in AMD. <h3>References and/or Acknowledgements</h3> <h3>Conflict of Interest</h3> No conflict of interest