One-Year Outcomes after Switching to Faricimab in Eyes with Pretreated Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Gabriela Grimaldi, Aude Ambresin, Isabel B. Pfister, Christin Schild, Christina Plasencia, Katja Hatz, Richard Stillenmunkes, Marion R. Munk, A. Paris, Moreno Menghini, Dmitri Artemiev, Andreas Ebneter, Jennifer Cattaneo, Eva C de Oliveira Figueiredo, Chiara M. Eandi, Jacqueline Fröhlich, Nicolas Feltgen, Tahm Spitznagel, Gábor Márk Somfai, Mariano Cozzi, Sandrine Zweifel, Andreas Weinberger Rosen, Justus G. Garweg
Abstract
PURPOSE: To report the efficacy and safety of switching to faricimab in a real-world, Swiss cohort of patients with pretreated neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). DESIGN: Retrospective, multicenter, longitudinal observational study conducted at 11 centers of the Swiss Retina Research Network. SUBJECTS: We included 353 eyes of 325 patients who were switched to intravitreal faricimab after prior anti-VEGF therapy and followed for a minimum of 12 months between May 1, 2022, and October 30, 2024. METHODS: Demographic characteristics, baseline functional and OCT findings, treatment history, and outcomes at 12 months after switch to faricimab were extracted from the patients' electronic case report forms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), presence of retinal fluid (RF) and pigment epithelial detachment, treatment intervals, and safety signals. RESULTS: Twelve months after switch, mean BCVA remained unchanged, whereas mean CST decreased from 315.3 to 263.9 μm (P < 0.01). Fast drying (absence of RF) after 1 faricimab injection was observed in 134 eyes (38%) and correlated positively with the treatment interval at 12 months (r(301) = 0.24; P < 0.01). After 12 months, 169 (47.9%) eyes demonstrated the absence of RF compared with 10.2% at switch. Mean treatment interval increased from 5.8 ± 2.5 weeks at switch to 8.3 ± 4.2 weeks at 12 months, and extended treatment intervals (≥12 week) were achieved in 20% of patients. Mild intraocular inflammation was reported in 1.7% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Switching to faricimab in pretreated nAMD led to sustained anatomic improvements and stabilization of BCVA, with a substantial reduction in RF compared with baseline. Our results suggest the potential benefits of this switching strategy based on real-world data. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.