Different conbercept injection strategies for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration: A retrospective cohort study

Conbercept is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The most optimal injection strategy is unknown. To assess the effectiveness of intravitreal injection of conbercept using the 3 + pro re nata (PRN) and 3 + Q3 M strategies for the treatment of exudative AMD. From January 2015 to January 2018, patients confirmed with exudative AMD at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University were included in this retrospective study. Intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg of conbercept was conducted either with the 3 + PRN or 3 + Q3 M strategy. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, and optical coherence tomography were conducted at 1 and 2 weeks, then every month. fundus fluorescein angiography examination was conducted every 3 months. There were 106 eyes from 106 patients. The number of follow-ups (3 + Q3 M: 12.4 ± 1.3 vs 3 + PRN: 12.9 ± 1.6, P = .079) and the follow-up time (3 + Q3 M: 12.7 ± 0.6 vs 3 + PRN: 12.5 ± 0.7 months, P = .121) were similar in the 2 groups. The number of injections was less in 3 + PRN than 3 + Q3 M (5.3 ± 1.0 vs 6.0 ± 0.0, P < .001) The BCVA at months 7 and 9 to 12 in the 3 + Q3 M (n = 51) group were lower than for 3 + PRN (n = 55) (all P < .05). The CRT at months 9 to 12 in the 3 + Q3 M group was lower than in the 3 + PRN group (all P < .05). There were no differences between the 2 groups regarding the exudation area during follow-up. No serious treatment-related ocular complications or serious systemic adverse events were found. The 3 + PRN and 3 + Q3 M strategies of intravitreal injection of conbercept are effective in treating exudative AMD. The 3 + Q3 M strategy needs more injection but is more effective in increasing visual acuity and reducing macular CRT than the 3 + PRN strategy.