Switching Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors in Refractory Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is the treatment of choice for cases with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Switching to an alternate anti-VEGF has been suggested as a possible option for resistant cases. The purpose of this review is to evaluate whether the timing of switching affects treatment outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review of published literature was performed looking at all studies where patients with refractory neovascular AMD were switched to an alternative anti-VEGF. Studies were then stratified based on the timing of switching into early (< 12 previous injections) and late (> 12 previous injections). RESULTS: A total of 38 studies were identified: 18 where patients were switched early and 20 where they were switched late. Both subgroups showed anatomic improvement after switching, with limited visual gains. CONCLUSION: There are insufficient data to recommend early versus late switching. However, both groups showed a reduction of fluid on optical coherence tomography and visual gains in 25% to 30% of patients.