1-year Real-World Outcomes of Faricimab in Previously Treated Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract Background and Objectives Faricimab, a bispecific antibody targeting VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2, has shown promise in treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This study evaluates one-year outcomes of faricimab in treatment-experienced nAMD patients. Methods This single-centre retrospective cohort study included patients previously treated for nAMD who switched to faricimab between November 2022 and March 2024. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and treatment intervals were assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Results 184 patients (215 eyes) were included. Patients had received a median of 18 (interquartile range [IQR] 10-28.5) anti-VEGF injections per eye over an average of 5.02 ± 11.82 years before switch. An average of 8.63 ± 2.2 faricimab injections were administered per eye over an average follow-up of 12.19 ± 2.70 months. Median BCVA decreased from 70 ETDRS letters (IQR 55–76) at baseline to 62 (IQR 47–76) at 12 months (p = 0.0038). Median CMT improved from 259.5 µm (IQR 223-299.75) at baseline to 232 µm (202.0-272.5) at 12 months (p < 0.0001). At the last follow-up, 40.2% of eyes were dry on OCT. The median dosing interval doubled from 4 weeks (IQR 4–4) to 8 weeks (IQR 6–10) with faricimab (p < 0.0001). 47.4% and 16.3% of eyes achieved treatment intervals of ≥ 8–12 weeks and ≥ 12 weeks, respectively. Three events of uveitis were noted following the loading phase. Conclusions This real-world study demonstrates that faricimab maintains vision and achieves significant anatomical improvements in treatment-experienced nAMD patients. The extended treatment intervals could significantly reduce the burden on patients and healthcare resources.