Real-life data in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Results from the I-maculaweb registry evaluated in a single Italian Medical Retina center.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to assess and compare the long-term clinical efficacy of anti-VEGF drugs through the I-Maculaweb registry. METHODS: Observational study based on the I-Maculaweb registry. Outcomes measures were the number of injections, the change in mean visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT) and the time between diagnosis and the first injection. RESULTS: Overall, 126 eyes of 109 patients were included in the study. The mean VA was 49.4 ± 21.4, 54.1 ± 22.2, 51.6 ± 24.9 and 48.3±25.7 letters, respectively at baseline and at 1, 2 and 3 years. A significant increase in VA (p=0.0002 for the first year and p=0.045 for the second year) was documented at years 1 and 2, but not at year 3 (p= 0.8). The mean number of injections was 5.2, 2.6 and 2.3 at the 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. In the first year, 30% of patients received at least 7 injections, while only 6.4% received less than 3 injections. CMT decreased significantly during the overall follow-up period, with a reduction of intra- and subretinal fluid (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, I-maculaweb turned out to be an effective tool in collecting, sharing clinical data and monitoring patients' outcomes.