Ophthalmology and Therapy · Published 2026-07-06 · DOI 10.1007/s40123-026-01453-7
Federico Beretta, Giovanni Scalabrin, Edoardo Balduzzi, Stefano Puligheddu, Francesco Bandello, Riccardo Sacconi, Giuseppe Querques
Abstract Introduction The purpose of this study was to report 1-year real-world outcomes of faricimab for the treatment of macular neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Early predictors of functional outcome were investigated. Methods This was a retrospective, longitudinal study including 132 eyes with nAMD (27% treatment-naïve, 73% switchers) treated with faricimab following a treat-and-extend protocol. Primary outcomes were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) changes at 1-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes included possible early predictors of 1-year functional outcomes. Early predictors were investigated at the baseline and after the loading phase. Results After the loading phase, both BCVA (from 0.40 ± 0.33 to 0.35 ± 0.34 LogMAR) and CMT (from 403 ± 135 to 317 ± 108 um) improved significantly (p = 0.014 and p > 0.001 respectively). At 1 year, only CMT reduced significantly (from 403 ± 135 to 317 ± 114 um, p < 0.001), and 36% of eyes were defined as good visual responders (≥ 5 ETDRS letters gain). Predictors of good response were lower BCVA and absence of type 3 macular neovascularization (MNV) at baseline and lower CMT after loading phase. Approximately 60% of patients achieved ≥ Q12-week dosing. Treatment-naïve patients achieved higher extension rates (82% ≥ Q12). No cases of intraocular inflammation were observed. Conclusions In our real-world practice, faricimab effectively controls nAMD, offering significant anatomical benefits and visual stability with extended dosing intervals. Approximately 80% of treatment-naïve patients maintained ≥ Q12-week schedules. Early anatomical response, defined by reduction in CMT and absence of exudative signs on structural optical coherence tomography (OCT), emerged as a clinically relevant prognostic factor for 1-year outcomes.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Beretta, F., Scalabrin, G., Balduzzi, E., et al. (2026). Real-Life 1-Year Results and Predictors of Visual Outcome with Intravitreal Faricimab for Treatment of Exudative Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmology and Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-026-01453-7