Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Predictive Value of Different Baseline Optical Coherence Tomography Biomarkers for Visual Acuity Changes in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Publisher



Riaziesfahani H1 ; Faghihi H1 ; Bazvand F1 ; Mehrabi Bahar M1 ; Khojasteh H2 ; Husein Ahmed A1 ; Faghihi S3 ; Fakhraie A1 ; Zamani MH1 ; Ghasemi S1 ; Asadi Khameneh E1 ; Khalili Pour E1
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin Sq, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
  3. 3. Retinal Disorders and Ophthalmic Genetics Division, Stein Eye Institute, University of California of Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Source: International Journal of Retina and Vitreous Published:2025


Abstract

Background: To evaluate baseline optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers in treatment-naive patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and their correlation with visual acuity changes following intravitreal aflibercept injections. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on treatment-naive nAMD patients. Baseline OCT biomarkers, including shallow irregular pigment epithelial detachment (SIPED), subretinal hyperreflective material, subretinal fluid, intraretinal fluid (IRF), hyperreflective foci, and subretinal drusenoid deposits, were assessed. Patients received bimonthly aflibercept injections after three loading doses. Visual acuity changes were evaluated at 3 and 12 months. The maximum height and width of the largest pigment epithelial detachment (PED) were also measured. Results: Among 89 eyes with nAMD, mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved by 6 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters from baseline to month 3, with sustained improvement through month 12. Baseline IRF was associated with poorer visual acuity improvement at month 12, with patients showing a mean improvement of 1.6 ± 18.2 ETDRS letters versus 11.1 ± 10 ETDRS letters in those without IRF (P = 0.002). Multivariable analysis indicated SIPED was linked to lower visual gains at month 3 (P = 0.025). The largest PED width correlated significantly with lower BCVA gains at months 3 (P = 0.021) and 12 (P = 0.043), suggesting its potential as a prognostic factor. Conclusion: Baseline OCT biomarkers, including SIPED, IRF, and PED width, may predict visual acuity changes in nAMD patients treated with aflibercept, highlighting the need for individualized monitoring. Clinical trial number: Not applicable. © The Author(s) 2025.
Related Docs
1. Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Atlas of Ocular Optical Coherence Tomograph# Second Edition (2023)
2. Retinal and Choroidal Changes After Anti-Vegf Therapy in Neovascular-Amd Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Sd-Oct Studies, Survey of Ophthalmology (2024)
3. Pachychoroid Neovasculopathy Versus Macular Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration With and Without Shallow Irregular Pigment Epithelial Detachment, Scientific Reports (2023)
4. Treating or Tolerating Persistent Subretinal Fluid in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review of Visual and Anatomical Outcomes With Anti-Vegf Therapy, International Ophthalmology (2025)
5. Choroidal Features in Flat Irregular Pigment Epithelial Detachment Associated With Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: Avascular Versus Vascularized, PLoS ONE (2021)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Elias Khalilipour (4)
Hooshang Faghihi-Habibabad (3)