Purpose:

To assess retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and retinal structural changes in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) during long-term follow-up and to evaluate morphological markers potentially influencing prognosis.

Methods:

18 patients (18 eyes) with neovascular AMD were recruited subsequent to completion the Avastin Versus Lucentis in Age Related Macular Degeneration (MANTA) study following a mean period of 84 months (range: 69-93 months). After receiving a loading dose of 3 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections subsequent to baseline of the MANTA study, patients were treated as-needed [pro re nata (PRN)]. Functional and morphological changes were assessed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Inclusion and exclusion criteria corresponded to the criteria of the MANTA study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inclusion and exclusion criteria corresponded to the criteria of the MANTA study

Initially 55 Participants were included in the Avastin Versus Lucentis in Age Related Macular Degeneration (MANTA) trial [16]. These patients received a loading dose of 3 intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF and were subsequently treated as-needed [pro re nata (PRN)] [16]. From that study population we recruited for another long term follow up visit. Of these patients 9 (16%) were excluded due to missed visits, another 14 patients (25%) died before the last study visit and 14 former participants (25%) did not approve further study participation.