Clin Ophthalmol. 2026 May 23;20:561121. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S561121. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the possible influence of repeated anti-VEGF injections on vascular metrics measured by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal study included AMD patients with a follow-up time of at least 18 months from 2019 to 2024. Swept-source OCTA was performed on all eyes. Based on whether an eye received injections or not during follow-up, all eyes were divided into two groups (non-injection group only included non-exudative AMD). Vessel density, Vessel skeleton density in the superficial, deep, and retina slab, as well as foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size, circularity and perimetry of Angio 6mm×6mm were calculated. Change in vascular metrics between baseline and last follow-up were compared between the two groups using t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Correlation between change in vascular metrics and visual acuity was investigated by Spearman’s Rank Correlation test.
RESULTS: A total of 164 eyes from 107 patients were included. The average follow-up time was 34 months. No statistically significant difference in baseline vascular metrics was detected between the injection group (57 eyes) and non-injection (107 eyes) group. The injection group received 12.56 injections during follow-up. Among all the parameters, only change in FAZ size during follow-up showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (0.03 vs. 0.02 mm2, P=0.043). No correlation was found between change in vascular metrics and change in visual acuity (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION: In this retrospective longitudinal study of 164 eyes, repeated intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were associated with no relevant significant changes in OCTA vascular metrics over time.
PMID:42221036 | PMC:PMC13217431 | DOI:10.2147/OPTH.S561121
