Patients with AMD may not need monthly injections

Orlando, Fla. — Researchers have found that, contrary to prvious clinical trial findings, monthly injections to counteract age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may not be necessary. The research is being presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) this week in Orlando, Fla.

The investigators used a strategy called "treat and extend" to conduct the study, in which the frequency of office visits and injections were tailored to each patient's individual response to therapy. Following 185 patients over a three-and-a-half-year period, the average number of visits and injections was reduced from 12 to 8.3 times per year.

AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss among people 50 years of age or older in industrialized countries. The findings could reduce the burden associated with frequent therapy, lowering the financial burdens on patients, families and government.

Abstract Title: Long-Term Visual Outcomes for a Treat and Extend Anti-VEGF Regimen in Eyes with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Presentation Start/End Time: Tuesday, May 6, 3:45pm – 5:30pm

Location: Exhibit/Poster Hall SA

Session Number: 383

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include some 11,500 eye and vision researchers from over 70 countries. ARVO encourages and assists research, training, publication and knowledge-sharing in vision and ophthalmology.

All abstracts accepted for presentation at the ARVO Annual Meeting represent previously unpublished data and conclusions. This research may be proprietary or may have been submitted for journal publication. Embargo policy: Journalists must seek approval from the presenter(s) before reporting data from paper or poster presentations. Press releases or stories on information presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting may not be released or published until the conclusion of the presentation.