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Yanagi Y, Tsujimura J, Ohno S, Higashi K, Sakashita N, Shoji A, Igarashi A. Cost-effectiveness analysis of bispecific antibody faricimab for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema in Japan. J Med Econ 2025; 28:448-459. [PMID: 40078048 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2025.2478755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2025] [Accepted: 03/10/2025] [Indexed: 03/14/2025]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the cost-effectiveness of faricimab vs. other anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) in Japan, while considering societal burden associated with treatment. METHODS A Markov model for cost-effectiveness analysis of anti-VEGF treatment in patients with nAMD and DME was applied based on cost and utility value data from Japan. Faricimab administered through a treat-and-extend (T&E) regimen was compared with ranibizumab administered pro re nata (PRN) and T&E, aflibercept T&E, brolucizumab T&E, and best supportive care (BSC). Further to treatment costs (public payer perspective), the societal burden (societal perspective), including costs of travel, informal care, and productivity, was assessed. RESULTS In treatment of nAMD, lifetime quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained were highest with faricimab (faricimab T&E: 6.92, ranibizumab PRN: 6.88, ranibizumab T&E: 6.91, aflibercept T&E: 6.89, brolucizumab T&E: 6.89, BSC: 5.99). From the public payer perspective, the lifetime total cost for faricimab T&E was lower than those for ranibizumab (PRN, T&E) and brolucizumab (T&E), comparable to aflibercept T&E, and higher than BSC (incremental costs: 158,385 and 6,475,511 JPY, respectively). As a result, faricimab was cost-effective or dominant in the treatment of nAMD, excluding BSC. From the societal perspective, faricimab was dominant against all comparators in nAMD. In treatment of DME, QALYs gained were highest with faricimab (faricimab T&E: 8.51, ranibizumab PRN: 8.17, aflibercept PRN: 8.36, ranibizumab T&E: 8.13, BSC: 5.16). From both the public payer and societal perspectives, faricimab was dominant against all comparators in DME. CONCLUSIONS When societal burdens were considered, faricimab was dominant in both nAMD and DME against all comparators, suggesting that the extended dosing interval associated with faricimab treatment may alleviate societal burdens and consequently improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo Yanagi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Micro-Technology, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
- Retina Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Singapore Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Shinya Ohno
- Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Ayako Shoji
- Medilead, Inc., Tokyo, Japan
- Healthcare Consulting, Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ataru Igarashi
- Department of Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanagawa, Japan
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Chaudhary V, Guymer R, Artignan A, Downey A, Singh RP. Real-World Evidence for Faricimab in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema: A Scoping Review. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2025; 5:100744. [PMID: 40242371 PMCID: PMC12002985 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2025.100744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2025] [Accepted: 02/14/2025] [Indexed: 04/18/2025]
Abstract
Purpose Since faricimab (Vabysmo) was approved for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), a growing body of real-world data has been reported, forming an important source of evidence for faricimab in a heterogeneous population. Scoping reviews are an effective approach to comprehensively assess the state of evidence on areas yet to be well characterized, allowing for the inclusion of a wide range of study designs and methodologies. This scoping review aimed to assess the current breadth and nature of real-world evidence (RWE) for faricimab and describe its safety and effectiveness in routine clinical practice. Design Scoping review of published articles and grey literature. Participants Eligible records included primary research reporting on any real-world data from ≥5 participants treated with faricimab in its licensed indications, published in English since 2022. This review did not involve novel data collection in human participants. Methods MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched on February 16, 2024, and the results were reviewed by 2 independent reviewers. Manual searches of proceedings from major relevant conferences, ClinicalTrials.gov, and bibliographies of relevant systematic literature reviews were also conducted. Findings were summarized descriptively. Main Outcome Measures Data of interest included study design, population characteristics, treatment history, visual function and anatomic outcomes, patient-reported outcomes, safety, and economic outcomes. Results A total of 63 studies reporting RWE for faricimab in patients with nAMD or DME (n = 6-12 119 eyes) were identified, including a majority of studies in previously treated patients. Studies spanned 10 countries, with a predominance of retrospective observational studies. Results across the majority of studies suggested that faricimab was associated with improved visual acuity, reduced central choroidal/subfield macular thickness, and reduced/resolved retinal fluid and pigment epithelial detachment in both conditions, even over longer study periods (≥6 months). Adverse events reported were similar to the findings within the registration trials. Conclusions Outcomes of faricimab in routine practice align with reports from clinical trials, supporting the effectiveness and safety of faricimab in heterogeneous populations. Further high-quality studies using prospective, multicenter designs are required to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term outcomes associated with faricimab. Financial Disclosures Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Chaudhary
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robyn Guymer
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Rishi P. Singh
- Cleveland Clinic Martin Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Stuart, Florida
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Ali FS, Tabano DC, Borkar DS, Leng T, Garmo V, Ahmed A, Myers R, Shaia JK, Barteselli G, Singh RP. Early Outcomes After Initiation of Faricimab for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2025:1-10. [PMID: 40371970 DOI: 10.3928/23258160-20250304-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE This study assessed treatment patterns and early outcomes among patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) initiating faricimab in routine clinical practice in the United States. PATIENTS AND METHODS FARETINA-AMD is a retrospective study among patients with nAMD initiating faricimab from February 2022 to June 2023 identified from the US IRIS® Registry. RESULTS Included were 21,508 patients previously treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) (25,784 eyes) and 1,836 treatment-naïve patients (1,982 eyes) with nAMD. Among previously treated eyes, visual acuity remained stable with faricimab. In treatment-naïve eyes, mean ± SD visual acuity improved from 56.7 ± 24.1 letters at index to 61.4 ± 22.3 after faricimab injection 4 (P < 0.01). Mean ± SD central subfield thickness improved from 315.2 ± 80.0 (index) to 264.9 ± 60.1 μm (injection 4) in treatment-naïve eyes and 296.2 ± 95.5 to 273.0 ± 81.4 μm in previously treated eyes (both P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with nAMD receiving faricimab, visual acuity improved in treatment-naïve eyes, and both previously treated and treatment-naïve eyes experienced anatomical improvement. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2025;56:XX-XX.].
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Liu D, Li C, Cui L, Li S. Short-term comparison of switching to faricimab from other anti-VEGF agents in neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients: A retrospective study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2025; 104:e42002. [PMID: 40295235 PMCID: PMC12039990 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000042002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2025] [Revised: 03/07/2025] [Accepted: 03/11/2025] [Indexed: 04/30/2025] Open
Abstract
In order to evaluate the short-term outcomes of switching to faricimab from other anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents in Chinese patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This was a retrospective, observational study involving patients with nAMD who had insufficient response to previous anti-VEGF therapy and were switched to Faricimab. Best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, and pigment epithelium detachment (PED) changes were recorded at baseline and after one month of treatment. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests to compare outcomes before and after the switch. This study included 35 eyes from 35 patients (mean age 69.74 ± 11.22 years) who were switched to Faricimab after an average of 6.27 ± 3.41 prior anti-VEGF injections for nAMD. While best-corrected visual acuity showed no significant improvement after one month (P = .06), significant reductions were observed in mean central macular thickness (P < .001), PED height (P < .001), PED volume (P < .001), presence of subretinal fluid (P = .03), and intraretinal fluid (P = .04). Additionally, the presence of PED decreased from 60% at baseline to 45.71% after one month (P = .02). No new safety concerns were identified during the study period. Switching to faricimab from other anti-VEGF agents resulted in significant short-term improvements in both visual and anatomical outcomes, including reduced central macular thickness, pigment epithelium detachment, and subretinal and intraretinal fluid. These findings suggest that Faricimab may offer a beneficial alternative for patients with an insufficient response to prior anti-VEGF therapies. Long-term follow-up studies are necessary to confirm the durability and long-term benefits of this treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingxi Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third People’s Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Chang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third People’s Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Lin Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third People’s Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third People’s Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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Wolfrum P, Böhm EW, Lorenz K, Stoffelns B, Pfeiffer N, Korb CA. Clinical Outcomes Following a Switch of Therapy to Faricimab in Patients Affected by Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. J Clin Med 2025; 14:423. [PMID: 39860429 PMCID: PMC11766198 DOI: 10.3390/jcm14020423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2024] [Revised: 12/31/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2025] [Indexed: 01/27/2025] Open
Abstract
Objectives: In this study, we evaluated clinical outcomes following a therapy switch to Faricimab, in a patient cohort affected by neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), having received prior intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. Methods: A retrospective investigation, including 28 eyes of 23 patients, treated for nAMD at the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany was performed. A switch in therapy to Faricimab was conducted, due to an inadequate response to the previous anti-VEGF treatment. Visual acuity (VA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and axial pigment epithelial detachment (PED) height were analyzed, following the first (FU 1) and second (FU 2) Faricimab injection series. Further, a subgroup analysis was conducted to compare Faricimab responders and diminished responders, as well as an exploratory data analyses to evaluate potential influencing factors on VA and CRT changes. Results: The mean age of patients was 82 years, with an average prior anti-VEGF treatment duration of 4.4 years and an average of 33 prior injections. Following Faricimab, at FU 1, significant reductions in CRT (from 335.8 µm to 260.0 µm, p < 0.01) and axial PED height (from 177 µm to 116 µm, p < 0.01) were observed. At FU 2, anatomical improvements were stable. No significant improvements in VA were observed, with LogMAR remaining stable at FU 1 and FU 2. In the subgroup comparison, eight eyes fulfilled the responder criteria, exhibiting morphological and functional improvements following intravitreal Faricimab. Further, a bigger baseline CRT correlated with a bigger post-treatment CRT and a longer prior treatment duration, and a worse baseline VA correlated with a worse post-Faricimab VA. No adverse events were noted following the switch to Faricimab. Conclusions: Following a switch to Faricimab, significant anatomical improvements were observed, while VA remained stable. Baseline CRT, prior treatment duration, and baseline LogMAR were associated with clinical outcomes post the switch to Faricimab. Further investigations into long-term outcomes are necessary to evaluate the sustained efficacy of Faricimab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Wolfrum
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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Hoven E, Michelet JT, Vettore MV, Lagali N. Choroidal thickness after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor in typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Surv Ophthalmol 2025; 70:86-95. [PMID: 39374696 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2024.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/09/2024]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections have been the standard of care for the wet/neovascular variant since 2004. Currently, there are conflicting reports regarding its effect on the choroid, which supplies outer retina with oxygen and other nutrients. We synthesize available information of anti-VEGF on choroidal thickness (CT) in treatment-naïve typical neovascular AMD patients during the initial 12-week loading phase. We found 43 studies involving 1901 eyes from 1878 patients were included. Meta-analysis of 35 studies reporting CT at baseline and after 12 weeks suggested a significant decrease in CT with anti-VEGF treatment. A greater mean change with aflibercept compared to ranibizumab was found in subgroup analyses of sub-foveal CT in types 1 and 2 macular neovascularization. The long-term consequences of reduced CT in neovascular AMD remain unclear and require further targeted studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erlend Hoven
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sorlandet Hospital, Norway; Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Agder, Norway.
| | | | - Mario V Vettore
- Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Agder, Norway
| | - Neil Lagali
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sorlandet Hospital, Norway; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden
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Kunzmann BC, Schweig AS, Bartz-Schmidt KU, Sobolewska B. Real-World-Data of Treatment-Naïve and Previously Treated Patients Receiving Up to 3 Injections of Faricimab in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Clin Ophthalmol 2024; 18:4029-4039. [PMID: 39749039 PMCID: PMC11694016 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s482948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 12/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/04/2025] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate visual and anatomical outcome of consecutive patients who received intravitreal injections (IVI) of faricimab for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Patients and methods A retrospective study of patients treated for nAMD with one to three IVIs of faricimab from October 2022 to January 2024. Demographic data, treatment history, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anatomic parameters, and adverse events (AEs) were collected. Results After one IVI of faricimab, previously treated (n=160) eyes with a mean of 33.51 IVIs and treatment-naïve (n=10) eyes showed a mean BCVA gain of +0.59±0.52 letters (p=0.364) and +5.00±6.50 letters (p=0.461), respectively, and a mean central subfield thickness (CST) reduction of -27.65±5.33 µm (p<0.001) and -94.10±39.74 μm (p=0.042), respectively. In treatment-refractory eyes after switching from aflibercept (n=108), mean BCVA increased by +0.42±0.66 (p=0.745) and the mean CST improved by -21.98±6.04 (p<0.001). After three IVIs of faricimab previously treated (n=106) and treatment-naïve (n=5) eyes showed a mean BCVA increase of +1.57±0.88 letters (p=0.051) versus +12.50±8.14 letters (p=0.185), and a mean CST reduction of -25.51±5.82 µm (p<0.001) versus -82.60±36.20 µm from baseline, respectively. In treatment-refractory eyes after switching from aflibercept (n=79), mean BCVA improved by +2.15±1.08 letters (p=0.029) and mean CST decreased by -27.46±7.04 µm (p<0.001). Mean pigment epithelial detachment (PED) was also significantly reduced even between the first and the third faricimab injection in previously treated eyes (p=0.03). The proportion of eyes with intraretinal fluid and subretinal fluid improved significantly in all eyes and treatment-refractory eyes after switching from aflibercept. Ocular AEs were reported in three out of 170 eyes, and one patient had two stroke events during faricimab therapy. Conclusion Three IVIs of faricimab have the potential to improve visual acuity and anatomical parameters even in treatment-refractory nAMD eyes with a mean dosing interval of more than 6 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bianka Sobolewska
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Borchert GA, Kiire CA, Stone NM, Akil H, Gkika T, Fischer MD, Xue K, Cehajic-Kapetanovic J, MacLaren RE, Charbel Issa P, Downes SM, De Silva SR. Real-world six-month outcomes in patients switched to faricimab following partial response to anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema. Eye (Lond) 2024; 38:3569-3577. [PMID: 39394370 PMCID: PMC11621343 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-024-03364-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Landmark studies reported on faricimab efficacy and safety predominantly in treatment naïve patients, but outcomes following switch from other anti-VEGF therapies are lacking. We evaluated patients switched to faricimab who had previously shown a partial response to other anti-VEGF injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular oedema (DMO). METHODS Retrospective study at the Oxford Eye Hospital. Patients switched to faricimab from January to April 2023 with six months follow-up were identified via electronic medical records. RESULTS A total of 116 patients (151 eyes) were included. In 88 patients with nAMD (107 eyes), mean visual acuity remained stable: 62±17 ETDRS letters at baseline; 62±18 at six months (p > 0.05). Central subfield thickness (CST) reduced from 294 ± 73 μm to 270 ± 53 μm (p < 0.05) at six months. Subretinal or intraretinal fluid was present in 102 eyes (95%) at baseline and 75 eyes (70%) at follow-up (p < 0.05). Pigment epithelial detachment height decreased from 233 ± 134 μm to 188 ± 147 μm (p < 0.05). Mean treatment interval increased by 1.7 weeks (p < 0.05) and was extended in 61 eyes (57%) at six months. In 28 patients with DMO (44 eyes), visual acuity remained stable: 69 ± 15 letters at baseline; 70±15 at six months (p > 0.05). CST reduced from 355 ± 87 μm to 317 ± 82 μm (p < 0.05). Mean treatment interval increased by 1.4 weeks (p < 0.05) and was extended in 21 eyes (46%) by six months. CONCLUSIONS Switching to faricimab in treatment resistant eyes led to improved anatomical response and extended treatment interval in a significant proportion of patients. Ongoing review of real-world data will inform longer-term outcomes of safety and effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A Borchert
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Christine A Kiire
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Niamh M Stone
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Handan Akil
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Theodora Gkika
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - M Dominik Fischer
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Kanmin Xue
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert E MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter Charbel Issa
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Susan M Downes
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Samantha R De Silva
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
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Modeste D, Stewart C, Premanandhan H, Awad MH, Williams GS. Evaluating Faricimab in Treatment-Naive Neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration: A Retrospective Analysis of Real-World Data. Clin Ophthalmol 2024; 18:2821-2829. [PMID: 39398467 PMCID: PMC11470206 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s468458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the efficiency and safety of Faricimab on treatment-naive neovascular age related macular degeneration (nAMD) in a real world UK clinic. Patients and Methods This single centre, retrospective note review was conducted on treatment-naive patients with nAMD. The data collected included demographics, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), total retinal fluid (TRF), the presence of intraretinal fluid (IRF) and subretinal fluid (SRF). Results A total of 66 eyes from 62 patients were analysed. The average age was 77 years (range 36-91) and 54% of patients were female. After the first dose of faricimab, the average BCVA improved by 0.05 LogMAR (+2.5 letters), the average CMT decreased by 65.9μm and 41% of patients were found to be inactive. The follow-up intervals after the third loading dose were divided into 2 subsets of 4 and 8 week extensions. The 4 week extension subset saw a smaller improvement in BCVA (+3 letters) than the 8 week extension (+6 letters) while both had an average decrease in CMT by 86.6 μm. The total retinal fluid decreased by 45% and 70.7%, leaving only 30% and 12.2% residual intraretinal fluid (IRF) and 30% and 24.4% residual subretinal fluid (SRF), respectively. Over a ten-month period, the average number of injections received was 6.6, including 3 initial loading doses. There was only one reported case of an adverse event out of 66 eyes (1/66, 1.5%). Conclusion Three loading doses of Faricimab appear efficacious and safe for the treatment of nAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Modeste
- Ophthalmology, Singleton Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, Wales, UK
| | | | | | - Mahmoud Husseiny Awad
- Ophthalmology, Singleton Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, Wales, UK
| | - Gwyn Samuel Williams
- Ophthalmology, Singleton Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, Wales, UK
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Todoroki T, Takeuchi J, Ota H, Nakano Y, Sajiki AF, Nakamura K, Kaneko H, Nishiguchi KM. Aqueous Humor Cytokine Analysis in Age-Related Macular Degeneration After Switching From Aflibercept to Faricimab. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:15. [PMID: 39250120 PMCID: PMC11385661 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.11.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To examine the changes in aqueous humor cytokine levels and clinical outcomes of switching from aflibercept to faricimab in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods Fifty-four eyes of 54 patients with AMD undergoing treatment with aflibercept under a treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen were switched to faricimab and studied prospectively. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA; in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), central retinal thickness (CRT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), and exudative status were analyzed using optical coherence tomography. Aqueous humor was collected before and after the switch, and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), placental growth factor (PlGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A levels were measured. Results After switching from aflibercept to faricimab, exudative changes improved in 28 eyes (52%), remained stable in eight eyes (15%), and worsened in 18 eyes (33%). BCVA changed from 0.27 ± 0.31 to 0.26 ± 0.29 (P = 0.46), CRT decreased from 306.2 ± 147.5 µm to 278.6 ± 100.4 µm (P = 0.11), and CCT changed from 189.5 ± 92.8 µm to 186.8 ± 93.9 µm (P = 0.21). VEGF-A levels were below the detection sensitivity in many cases throughout the pre- and post-switching periods. Ang-2 significantly decreased from 23.8 ± 23.5 pg/mL to 16.4 ± 21.9 pg/mL (P < 0.001), and PlGF significantly increased from 0.86 ± 0.85 pg/mL to 1.72 ± 1.39 pg/mL (P < 0.001). Conclusions Switching from aflibercept to faricimab in patients with nAMD may not only suppress VEGF-A but also Ang-2 and reduce exudative changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Todoroki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Jun Takeuchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hikaru Ota
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuyako Nakano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ai Fujita Sajiki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Koichi Nakamura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kaneko
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Koji M Nishiguchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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Kin A, Mizukami T, Ueno S, Mishima S, Shimomura Y. Short-Term Comparison of Switching to Brolucizumab or Faricimab from Aflibercept in Neovascular AMD Patients. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:1170. [PMID: 39064598 PMCID: PMC11278758 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60071170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In this study, our objective was to assess and compare the changes in visual and structural outcomes among patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who were switched from intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) to either intravitreal brolucizumab (IVBr) or intravitreal faricimab (IVF) injections in a clinical setting. Materials and Methods: This observational clinical study included 20 eyes of 20 patients switched to brolucizumab and 15 eyes of 14 patients switched to faricimab from aflibercept in eyes with nAMD. We measured the structural outcome (central macular thickness (CMT)) and the visual outcome (best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); logMAR) as follows: just before the most recent IVA injection (B0), one month after the most recent IVA injection (B1), just before the first IVBr or IVF injection (A0), one month after (A1) and three months after (A3) the first IVBr or IVF injection. Results: BCVA showed significant improvement at A1 (0.25 ± 0.34) and at A3 (0.19 ± 0.24) compared to A0 (0.38 ± 0.35) in the IVBr group (p = 0.0156, p = 0.0166, respectively). CMT (μm) was significantly thinner at A1 (IVBr: 240.55 ± 51.82, IVF: 234.91 ± 47.29) and at A3 (IVBr: 243.21 ± 76.15, IVF: 250.50 ± 72.61) compared to at A0 (IVBr: 303.55 ± 79.18, IVF: 270.33 ± 77.62) in the IVBr group (A1: p = 0.0093, A3: p = 0.0026) and in the IVF group (A1: p = 0.0161, A3: p = 0.0093). There was no significant difference in BCVA and CMT improvement observed between two groups at any time point (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Switching from aflibercept to either brolucizumab or faricimab has a significant anatomical effect in eyes with nAMD and both treatments appear to be effective short-term treatment options. There is a trend towards greater visual improvements and reductions in CMT with brolucizumab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Kin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fuchu Hospital, Izumi 594-0076, Osaka, Japan; (A.K.); (S.M.); (Y.S.)
| | - Takahiro Mizukami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fuchu Hospital, Izumi 594-0076, Osaka, Japan; (A.K.); (S.M.); (Y.S.)
| | - Satoru Ueno
- Department of Ophthalmology, PL Hospital, Tondabashi 584-8585, Osaka, Japan;
| | - Soichiro Mishima
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fuchu Hospital, Izumi 594-0076, Osaka, Japan; (A.K.); (S.M.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yoshikazu Shimomura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fuchu Hospital, Izumi 594-0076, Osaka, Japan; (A.K.); (S.M.); (Y.S.)
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Nasimi N, Nasimi S, Grauslund J, Vergmann AS, Subhi Y. Real-world efficacy of intravitreal faricimab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review. Int J Retina Vitreous 2024; 10:48. [PMID: 38997766 PMCID: PMC11245828 DOI: 10.1186/s40942-024-00566-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To systematically review the real-world outcomes of intravitreal faricimab treatment in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) to evaluate its efficacy and safety in clinical settings. This study was conducted due to the need for real-world evidence to complement the findings from controlled clinical phase-III trials. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted on March 17, 2024, across 11 databases, utilizing search terms specifically tailored each database. All studies were reviewed qualitatively with specific focus on the outcomes of interest: the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the central retina thickness (CRT), and the burden of therapy. RESULTS We identified a total of 22 eligible studies of 1762 eyes from 1618 patients with nAMD. Studies reported that intravitreal faricimab injections maintained BCVA in patients with previously treated eyes and demonstrated statistically significant improvement in patients with treatment-naïve eyes. The CRT was reduced after intravitreal faricimab therapy. Faricimab was well-tolerated, with no significant safety concerns identified, and reduced the overall burden of therapy. CONCLUSION Real-world studies corroborate the conclusions drawn from phase-III trials regarding faricimab treatment, demonstrating improvement in both visual and anatomical outcomes. Additionally, no significant safety issues were identified, as the treatment was generally well-tolerated and reduced the overall burden of therapy in the real-world settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasratullah Nasimi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Safiullah Nasimi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jakob Grauslund
- Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Odense, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
| | - Anna Stage Vergmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense, Denmark
| | - Yousif Subhi
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense, Denmark.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.
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Schneider M, Bjerager J, Hodzic-Hadzibegovic D, Klefter ON, Subhi Y, Hajari J. Short-term outcomes of treatment switch to faricimab in patients with aflibercept-resistant neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2024; 262:2153-2162. [PMID: 38416237 PMCID: PMC11222265 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-024-06421-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To report short-term outcomes of treatment switch to faricimab in real-world patients with aflibercept-resistant neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Single-center, retrospective cohort study with chart-review using electronic injection database, electronic medical records, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) data from May to September 2023. RESULTS A total of 50 eyes of 46 patients were analyzed. Faricimab treatment led to absence of fluid in 32% of the eyes and a reduction of fluid in 84% of the eyes. There was a statistically significant decrease in central retinal thickness (CRT) and pigment epithelial detachment (PED) height in those that responded to the switch (median difference: - 31 μm, IQR: 55, p < 0.0001 and median difference: - 21 μm, IQR: 36, p < 0.0001, respectively) and a statistically significant increase in CRT (median difference: + 19 μm, IQR: 20, p = 0.0143) and no change in PED height (median difference: + 22 μm, IQR: 64, p = 0.1508) in those that did not. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) showed marginal decrease with low statistical significance. No ocular or systemic safety events were observed. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that switching to faricimab is generally safe and effective in patients with neovascular AMD who are otherwise difficult to treat and have residual fluid despite frequent injections with aflibercept. We observed a high rate of morphological response to the treatment switch, improvement of anatomical parameters with about one-third of patients having dry macula following a single injection, and a marginal change in BCVA. Sustainability of these results requires further investigation. STUDY REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT06124677. Date of registration: 09/11/2023, retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklos Schneider
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 1-23, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Jakob Bjerager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 1-23, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | | | - Oliver Niels Klefter
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 1-23, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yousif Subhi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 1-23, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Javad Hajari
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 1-23, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Takahashi H, Inoda S, Takahashi H, Takahashi R, Hashimoto Y, Yoshida H, Kawashima H, Yanagi Y. One-year visual and anatomical outcomes of intravitreal faricimab injection for neovascular age-related macular degeneration after prior brolucizumab treatment. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9087. [PMID: 38643252 PMCID: PMC11032343 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59894-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed the 1-year real-world treatment outcomes of 63 consecutive eyes (of 60 patients) with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) that were switched from intravitreal brolucizumab (IVBr) to intravitreal faricimab (IVF) and managed on a treat-and-extend regimen with discontinuation criteria. After the switch, patients opted to continue IVF, to switch back to IVBr, or receive photodynamic therapy (PDT). Thirty-eight patients continued IVF, 16 patients were switched back to IVBr, 2 patients received PDT, and 4 patients paused treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), subfoveal choroidal thickness (sf-CT), and injection intervals were compared immediately before and 1 year after the initial IVF. Whereas there was no change in BCVA and CST; 0 [- 0.0969 to 0.125, P = 0.58], - 1.5 [- 27.8 to 13.5, P = 0.11] µm, respectively, sf-CT decreased significantly; - 19.5 [- 45.5 to 7.75, P = 0.015] µm. The patients switched back showed no significant change in sf-CT. The injection interval extended significantly in the IVF continuation and the switch-back group (2.0 and 3.0 weeks, respectively; [P = 0.0007 and 0.0078]) in eyes with a pre-switching interval of less than 12 weeks. Faricimab shows promise as a safe and effective alternative to brolucizumab for treating nAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Takahashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0431, Japan
| | - Satoru Inoda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0431, Japan.
| | - Hidenori Takahashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0431, Japan
| | - Ryota Takahashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0431, Japan
| | - Yuto Hashimoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0431, Japan
| | - Hana Yoshida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0431, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Kawashima
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0431, Japan
| | - Yasuo Yanagi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Micro-Technology, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
- Retina Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Ng B, Kolli H, Ajith Kumar N, Azzopardi M, Logeswaran A, Buensalido J, Mushtaq B, Chavan R, Chong YJ. Real-World Data on Faricimab Switching in Treatment-Refractory Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:193. [PMID: 38398702 PMCID: PMC10890640 DOI: 10.3390/life14020193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Faricimab is a newly approved bispecific antibody for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Our study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes of faricimab switching in patients with treatment-refractory nAMD; determine parameters that predict these outcomes; and obtain patient subjective experience on this new injection. This is a retrospective case review with clinical and imaging data from a tertiary referral unit (Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, UK), involving patients who were switched to faricimab between 1 January and 1 December 2023. In all, 63 eyes (54 patients) with a mean age of 79.2 ± 7.8 and mean of 41.5 ± 22.4 previous anti-VEGF injections were analysed. With a mean of 4.81 ± 1.16 faricimab injections over 6.98 ± 1.75 months, post-treatment visual acuity was logMAR 0.49 ± 0.36 and central macular thickness (CMT) was 320.3 ± 97.9 µm. After first dose, 39.1% achieved complete dryness and 89.1% had anatomical improvement. Presence of subretinal fluid was a predictor of better functional outcomes (p = 0.001, β = -0.182), while initial CMT predicted better anatomical outcomes (p = 0.001, β = 0.688). Compared to their experiences of previous anti-VEGF injections, 89% of patients reported no more discomfort and 87.0% experienced no more floaters, photopsia, or bubbles post-injection. Faricimab switching has anatomical efficacy but limited functional improvement in treatment-refractory AMD. Patient experiences of faricimab compared to previous injections were overall positive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Ng
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK (N.A.K.); (J.B.)
- Christ Church, University of Oxford, St. Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 1DP, UK
| | - Hema Kolli
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK (N.A.K.); (J.B.)
| | | | | | | | - Julius Buensalido
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK (N.A.K.); (J.B.)
| | - Bushra Mushtaq
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK (N.A.K.); (J.B.)
| | - Randhir Chavan
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK (N.A.K.); (J.B.)
| | - Yu Jeat Chong
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK (N.A.K.); (J.B.)
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