Effects of delay in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor intravitreal injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of COVID-19-related delay in intravitreal injection timing on macular structure and visual acuity (VA) among patients treated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD). METHODS: We reviewed demographic and clinical data and macular ocular computerized tomographic images of 34 patients (48 eyes, group A) who did not follow their injection schedule during the first wave of COVID-19 and compared them to 46 patients (71 eyes, group B) who did. Functional worsening was defined as a loss of at least 0.1 in decimal VA. Anatomic worsening was defined as new or increased subretinal/intraretinal fluids or new hemorrhage. RESULTS: The planned mean ± standard deviation intervals between the intravitreal injections were 5.7 ± 2.7 weeks for group A and 5.5 ± 2.4 weeks for group B (P = 0.60). The actual intervals were 13.6 ± 6.8 (7.9 ± 5.2 weeks’ delay) and 5.3 ± 2.4 weeks (no delay), respectively (P < 0.001). The best corrected visual acuity worsened in 23 group A eyes (47.9%) and in 6 group B eyes (8.5%) (odds ratio [OR] 9.97, P < 0.001). Anatomic features indicative of nvAMD worsening were detected in 31 group A eyes (64.6%) and in 16 group B eyes (22.5%) (OR 5.73, P < 0.001). A new macular hemorrhage was observed in 4 group A eyes (8.3%) and in no group B eyes (P = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Delay in timely retinal care during the COVID-19 restrictions period resulted in short-term negative outcomes, including macular bleeding, in nvAMD patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00417-021-05505-5.