Individualized ranibizumab therapy strategies in year 3 after as-needed treatment for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

BACKGROUND: To investigate the third-year results of ranibizumab monotherapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in individualized treatment regimens based on the outcomes during 2 years. METHODS: One hundred seventy-two consecutive eyes of 163 prospective treatment-naïve patients with PCV were treated with three monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections followed by as-needed reinjections and completed a 2-year follow-up. Treatment regimens during the third year were selected individually based on their outcomes from the following treatment regimens: as-needed injections based on quarterly examinations, as-needed injections based on monthly examinations, a monthly ranibizumab injection schedule, and the treat-and-extend schedule. Visual acuity (VA) and foveal thickness at the end of the third year and the prevalence of discontinuous follow-up examinations during the third year were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 163 patients, 35 (21%) patients were excluded; nine patients had discontinuous follow-up examinations during the third year. In 128 eyes of 128 patients studied during the third year, the significant improvements in VA and foveal thickness 2 years after the first injection compared to baseline were maintained at the end of the third year. Six (18%, 6/34) patients treated with as-needed injections based on quarterly examinations had discontinuous follow-up examinations, the prevalence of which differed significantly (P = 0.025) from the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The individualized treatment strategies in the third year based on each patient’s outcomes during 2 years maintained the improved VA and avoided discontinuation of follow-up during the third year.