INTRAVITREAL ZIV-AFLIBERCEPT FOR NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: 52-Week Results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 52-week safety and efficacy of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: All patients received three monthly intravitreal injections of 0.05 mL of ziv-aflibercept (1.25 mg) followed by a pro re nata regimen. The best-corrected visual acuity and spectral domain optical coherence tomography were obtained at baseline and monthly. Full-field and multifocal electroretinograms were obtained at baseline and 4, 13, 26, and 52 weeks. For some full-field electroretinography parameters, we calculated the differences between baseline and 52 weeks and then compared those differences between treated and untreated fellow eyes. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included and 14 completed the 52-week follow-up. The mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.95 ± 0.41 (20/200) at baseline to 0.75 ± 0.51 (20/125) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution at 52 weeks (P = 0.0066). The baseline central retinal thickness decreased from 478.21 ± 153.48 µm to 304.43 ± 98.59 µm (P = 0.0004) at 52 weeks. Full-field electroretinography parameters used to assess retinal toxicity after intravitreal injections (rod response and oscillatory potentials) remained unchanged during follow-up. The average multifocal electroretinography macular response in 5° showed increased N1-P1 amplitude and decreased P1 implicit time (P < 0.05). One patient presented with intraocular inflammation after the seventh intravitreal procedure. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that intravitreal ziv-aflibercept might be safe and effective for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration. More patients and a longer follow-up are needed to confirm the long-term outcomes of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept.

OUTCOMES AFTER PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY FOR EPIRETINAL MEMBRANES ASSOCIATED WITH TOXOPLASMOSIS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate outcomes and complications of pars plana vitrectomy in patients with epiretinal membrane secondary to toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of the records of 14 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane secondary to toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. The best-corrected visual acuity, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and macular optical coherence tomography were analysed. All patients received postoperative prophylactic treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. RESULTS: Fourteen patients, 5 men and 9 women, were included. Mean follow-up period after surgery was 6.07 ± 2.64 months. Preoperative mean best-corrected visual acuity was 20/200, and postoperative mean best-corrected visual acuity was 20/60. There were no intraoperative complications. Three patients developed posterior capsule opacification, and one patient developed cataract. CONCLUSION: Pars plana vitrectomy is a safe and effective procedure in patients with epiretinal membrane secondary to toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, improving both visual acuity and anatomical result on macular optical coherence tomography. The most frequent postoperative complications were posterior capsule opacification and cataract. No recurrences of the disease were recorded.