Safety and Effectiveness of Cataract Surgery with Simultaneous Intravitreal Anti-VEGF in Patients with Previously Treated Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Manuel Falcão (Author) FMUP; Freitas Costa, P (Author) FMUP; Beato, JN (Author) Other; Pinheiro Costa, J (Author) Other; Rocha-Sousa A (Author) FMUP; Ângela Carneiro (Author) FMUP; Brandao, EM (Author) Other; Falcão-Reis F (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Acta Medica Portuguesa

Vol. 30

Pages: 127-133

ISSN: 0870-399X

Publisher: Ordem dos Medicos

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-KDJ

DOI: 10.20344/amp.7850

Abstract (EN): Introduction: To evaluate the safety and impact on visual acuity, retinal and choroidal morphology of simultaneous cataract surgery and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor on patients with visually significant cataracts and previously treated exudative age-related macular degeneration. Material and Methods: Prospective study, which included 21 eyes of 20 patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration submitted to simultaneous phacoemulsification and intravitreal ranibizumab or bevacizumab. The patients were followed for 12 months after surgery using a pro re nata strategy. Visual acuity, foveal and choroidal thickness changes were evaluated 1, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in mean visual acuity at one (13.4 letters, p < 0.05), six (11.5 letters, p < 0.05) and twelve months (11.3 letters, p < 0.05) without significant changes in retinal or choroidal morphology. At 12 months, 86% of eyes were able to maintain visual acuity improvement. There were no significant differences between the two anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs and no complications developed during follow-up. Discussion: Simultaneous phacoemulsification and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor is safe and allows improvement in visual acuity in patients with visually significant cataracts and exudative age-related macular degeneration. Visual acuity gains were maintained with a pro re nata strategy showing that in this subset of patients, phacoemulsification may be beneficial. Conclusion: Cataract surgery and simultaneous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy improves visual acuity in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7