Treatment Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Aflibercept in Early Neovascular Glaucoma

Abstract

Abstract Background This study aimed to assess the treatment efficacy and safety of intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) in stage I and II neovascular glaucoma (NVG). Methods In this retrospective study, the clinical data of 57 patients (57 eyes) with stage I and II NVG secondary to PDR treated in our hospital from March 2018 to March 2021 were assessed. The treatment group was administered IVA with PRP, while control patients received PRP only. With a follow-up of 2 years, the BCVA, IOP, neovascularization and disease progression were analyzed. Results The BCVA and IOP were ameliorated in the treatment group compared with the control group during the 2-year follow-up period (P < 0.05). After the 2-year follow-up, the BCVA and IOP were better than pre-treatment level in the treatment group, while they were seriously in control group, but they all have no significant differences compared with pre-treatment levels (P > 0.05). The final effective rates of IOP control were 53.33% and 40.74% in the treatment and control groups (X = 0.904, P = 0.342); after the 2-year follow-up, 60% of the iris and angle neovascularization in the treatment group regressed, and 29.63% in the control group regressed (X = 4.053, P = 0.044). Conclusions IVA is safe and effective for the treatment of stage I and II NVG, effectively inhibiting the activity of iris neovascularization, delaying disease progression and preserving vision.