Short‑term outcomes of switching to faricimab for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the anatomical and functional outcomes in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) who were switched from conventional anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents to faricimab.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study.

METHODS: This study included 42 eyes from 42 patients treated at Hikichi Eye Clinic between April and August 2024. All patients had relapsed ME despite prior treatment with aflibercept and were switched to intravitreal faricimab (6.0 mg). The primary endpoints included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), and intravitreal injection intervals over six months.

RESULTS: The mean (± standard error) CFT significantly decreased from 356 ± 23 μm to 214 ± 3 μm at one month (p < 0.01) and remained stable at the final visit (205 ± 4 μm). Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA improved from 0.16 ± 0.03 to 0.04 ± 0.03 at one month (p < 0.01) and remained at 0.02 ± 0.02 at the final visit. The mean injection interval was significantly extended from 12.3 ± 0.4 weeks to 16.2 ± 0.5 weeks (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Faricimab improved anatomical and functional outcomes while extending treatment intervals in ME secondary to RVO. Further large-scale, prospective, and long-term follow-up studies are needed to confirm these findings.