Intra Ocular Pressure Monitoring After Intravitreal Injection of Aflibercept 8mg/0.07mL
Intra Ocular Pressure Monitoring After Intravitreal Injection of Aflibercept 8mg/0.07mL
In just a few years, intravitreal injections have become a standard method of administration for certain retinal deseases (age-related macular degeneration [AMD], diabetic edematous maculopathy or retinal vein occlusion [RVO]). Thus, vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) inhibitors are injected repetitively, every 4 to 6 weeks, in some patients in order to treat such pathologies.
It is established that each of these IVTs has repercussions on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients. They immediately present with an intraocular pressure spike (IOP reaching nearly 50mmHg) for a duration of a few minutes (between 15 and 30 minutes) when the injected volume is 0.05mL, which is currently used.
In order to reduce the frequency of injections in patients, higher concentrations of active ingredients with anti-VEGF properties will arrive on the market with higher injection volumes of up to 0.07mL (marketing of Aflibercept 8mg/0.07ml in France since 01/06/2025. As IOP spikes are linked to the volume injected, the repercussions of such volumes could probably be greater and require additional actions. Indeed, currently the volumes used (0.05mL) rarely lead to complications such as transient blindness secondary to ocular hypertonia. In this case, an anterior chamber puncture may be necessary.
To date, the impact on IOP of the 0.07mL injection has not yet been evaluated in the short and long term. Indeed, the repetition of IVT leads to a repetition of IOP peaks of around 50mmHg in the same patient. Some studies have analyzed the anatomical repercussions on the optic nerve of these peaks and have noted a reduction in the thickness of the peripapillary nerve fibers (RNFL for Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer) in Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT for Optical Coherence Tomography) after the 3 monthly IVTs recommended for the induction phase of treatment. But other studies have not found a significant drop in RNFL after several years of regular treatment with IVT. The studies were all carried out with volumes of 0.05mL and the repercussions with a volume of 0.07mL are therefore not reported in the literature.
The AFLIPIO study aims to study the short-term pressure profile after performing an IVT of Aflibercept, at a volume of 0.07mL, and to evaluate the longer-term anatomical repercussions (12 months) on the head of the optic nerve when repeating IVT of Aflibercept, at a volume of 0.07mL.
In order to reduce the frequency of injections in the so-called sub-optimal patients, a "new generation" anti-VEGF will arrive on the market with higher concentrations of active ingredients with a higher injection volume of 0.07mL (marketing of Aflibercept 8mg/0.07ml in France since 01/06/2025). As IOP peaks are linked to the volume injected, the repercussions of such volumes could probably be higher and require additional procedures. In fact, currently the volumes used (0.05mL) rarely lead to complications such as transient blindness secondary to ocular hypertonia. In this case, an anterior chamber puncture may be necessary. To date, the pressure profile after IVT of 0.07mL is not known, on experimental ocular models, the IOP after an IVT of 0.07mL could reach more than 70mmHg with a return to normal after 20 to 25 minutes. So to evaluate the IOP profile after intravitreal injection of Aflibercept 8mg/0.07mL, the IOP will be monitored after an injection during 45 minutes. IOP will be measure with a Perkins Tonometer in order to have aplanation results. Measures will be done just before and after the injection and at 15minutes, 30 minutes and 45 minutes.
To evaluate the risk of transient monocular blindness, we will note all transient blindness after the injection.
The longer-term repercussions are also not known. Indeed, the repetition of IVT leads to a repetition of IOP peaks in the same patient. The previous studies were all carried out with volumes of 0.05mL and the repercussions with a volume of 0.07mL are therefore not reported in the literature and deserve to be researched. In order to evaluate the repercussion of the new volume, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer assessed with Optical Coherence tomography will be done just before the injection and at the end of the follow up 12 months +/-2 months.
The treatment regimen will not be modified by the study.
The inclusion visit will be carried out during a routine care consultation. During this consultation, patients will be informed of the research and will be included once their consent has been obtained. The patient's inclusion can take place during the first IVT or during another IVT of the patient's follow-up.
During this visit, the investigator will carry out:
The consultation will therefore be extended by an additional 45 minutes compared to a traditional consultation. The application of a local anesthetic will also be added by the research to carry out IOP measurements at 30 and 45 minutes (the previous measurements, ie. T1 and T15, will benefit from the local anesthesia of the IVT carried out for current practice).
At the end of this consultation, there will be no change in patient monitoring in terms of frequency of consultations and subsequent injections. IOP measurements will only be taken during the first inclusion consultation.
Patients will perform a new papillary OCT 1 year after the injection where the IOP was monitored, i.e. 1 year after inclusion in the research.
Follow-up for research will end after the papillary OCT at 1 year.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
magali.cesana@ch-toulon.fr04 83 77 20 60 ext. +33