Impact of Prefilled Syringes and Masking on Postintravitreal Injection Endophthalmitis

Purpose: To compare rates of endophthalmitis (1) following intravitreal injection of antivascular endothelial growth factor therapies with glass-vial preparation (GVP) vs prefilled syringes (PFS) and (2) before and after masking protocols were implemented. Methods: Medical records within a multicenter retina practice in Houston, Texas, from January 2015 to August 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was rate of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection. Results: A total of 307 349 injections were performed during the study period and 101 cases of endophthalmitis were identified (0.033%). PFS use was associated with a decreased risk of endophthalmitis (relative risk [RR], 0.320; 95% CI, 0.198-0.518, P < .001); 54 cases of endophthalmitis occurred in the GVP group of aflibercept and ranibizumab (0.052%) compared with 24 in the PFS group (0.017%). There was no difference in the endophthalmitis rates with or without universal masking (RR, 0.953; 95% CI 0.616-1.473, P = .91). Discussion: PFS use was associated with a significant reduction in the rate of endophthalmitis while the use of surgical face masks did not appear to significantly impact the rate of endophthalmitis.

Randomized Trial of Treat-and-Extend Intravitreal Aflibercept for Radiation Retinopathy: 1-Year Outcomes

Purpose

Radiation retinopathy (RR)-related macular edema commonly causes poor visual acuity outcomes in patients previously treated with ocular radiation therapy. Current treatments are not US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and prior studies have variable outcomes. We performed a multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of 2 mg intravitreal aflibercept injections (IAIs) for the treatment of RR.

Methods

Thirty-nine eyes in 39 patients with RR-related macular edema causing vision loss were assigned randomly to cohorts (1:1 ratio) in which patients either did or did not receive a loading dose of 3 IAIs followed by a treat-and-extend regimen. The primary outcome measure was the mean Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) change from baseline.

Results

Of the 39 randomized patients, 30 (76.9%) completed the year 1 follow-up visit. The overall mean BCVA change from baseline was 4.3 letters (P = 0.087), with 1.57 letters and 6.69 letters gained in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.31). There was a significant difference in central retinal thickness (CRT) from baseline to week 52 overall (484.4 µm to 326.5 µm) and within cohorts 1 (441.2 µm to 311.1 µm) and 2 (522.3 µm to 339.9 µm), respectively (P < 0.001). A total of 96.7% of the patients had visual acuity of 20/200 or better, and 30.0% improved 10 or more letters.

Conclusions

Aflibercept may improve CRT and may prevent vision loss in patients with RR using a treat-and-extend regimen through 52 weeks of therapy. Larger, multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Final Outcomes from the Randomized RECOVERY Trial of Aflibercept for Retinal Nonperfusion in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE

Retinal nonperfusion (RNP) is an important biomarker for diabetic retinopathy (DR). Data suggest that consistent anti-VEGF pharmacotherapy can slow RNP development. The RECOVERY trial evaluated the impact of aflibercept (Eylea, Regeneron) on RNP among eyes with proliferative DR (PDR).

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized clinical trial with treatment crossover in the second year.

SUBJECTS

Eyes with PDR and RNP.

METHODS

At baseline, the subjects were randomized 1:1 to monthly (arm 1) or quarterly (arm 2) intravitreal 2 mg aflibercept. At the beginning of year 2, the treatment arms were crossed over so that the monthly-dosed subjects subsequently received quarterly dosing and the quarterly-dosed subjects subsequently received monthly dosing.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Change in total RNP area (mm²) through year 2. Secondary outcomes included Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) scores; best-corrected visual acuity; central subfield thickness; additional measures of RNP, including ischemic index (ISI); and adverse event incidence. Means and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

Among all subjects, from baseline to year 2, the mean RNP increased from 235 mm² to 402 mm² (P < 0.0001), and the ISI increased from 25.8% to 50.4% (P < 0.0001). Increases in the mean RNP (P < 0.0001) and ISI (P < 0.0001) were also observed from year 1 to year 2. The mean total RNP increased from 264 mm² at baseline to 386 mm² (P < 0.0001) at year 2 in arm 1 and from 207 mm² at baseline to 421 mm² (P < 0.0001) at year 2 in arm 2 (P = 0.023, arm 1 vs. arm 2). Increases in the mean RNP for both treatment arms (P < 0.0001) were also specifically observed within year 2 (P = 0.32, arm 1 vs. arm 2). Compared with baseline, the DRSS scores at the end of year 2 improved in 82% (n = 27) of subjects and remained stable in 18% (n = 6), with no subjects experiencing worsening; at 2 years, the DRSS scores had improved by 2 or more steps in 65% (n = 11) and 81% (n = 13) of subjects in arms 1 and 2, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Through year 2 of the RECOVERY trial, both treatment arms experienced significant increases in RNP. Despite the expansion of the RNP area in nearly all subjects, 82% of subjects demonstrated an improvement in DRSS levels from baseline, with no subjects experiencing worsening in DRSS scores.