Fibrosis in Patients With Choroidal Neovascularization Based on Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography: Findings From the HARBOR Trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the rate and impact of fibrosis on visual outcomes by choroidal neovascularization (CNV) type, based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods

Fibrosis status and location at month 24, stratified by baseline CNV type, were evaluated using data from the HARBOR trial (NCT00891735). All patients (n = 1097) received pro re nata or monthly ranibizumab treatment.

Results

Fibrosis was most common in eyes with type 2 CNV lesions (53%) compared with other types (type 1, 31%; mixed type 1 or 2, 45%; any type 3, 33%; P < .0001). The rate of fibrosis differed by less than or equal to 6% between monthly and pro re nata treatment regimens. In eyes with subretinal fibrosis, most (65% to 78%) showed subfoveal involvement at month 24. Mean visual acuity gains at month 24 were not negatively affected by the presence of fibrosis (type 1, 8.0 letters; type 2, 11.0; mixed type 1 or 2, 7.8; any type 3, 16.2), regardless of treatment regimen. Male sex and current smoking status were associated with significantly higher rates of fibrosis at month 24 (P < .0001 and P = .003, respectively).

Conclusions

Many patients with nAMD develop fibrosis despite antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy, and the prevalence of fibrosis is affected by baseline CNV type.