Choroidal structural changes determined by the binarization method after intravitreal aflibercept treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Aim: To assess the choroidal structural alterations after intravitreal injection of aflibercept in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods: Fifty eyes with treatment-naïve nAMD were evaluated at baseline, 3, and 12 month. Fifty eyes of 50 healthy subjects were also included as controls. Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured in the subfoveal region. Total circumscribed choroidal area (CA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was calculated using Image J.

Results: At baseline, subfoveal CT was increased in nAMD patients compared to controls (=0.321). Eyes with nAMD had a significantly increased total circumscribed CA and SA (=0.041, 0.005, respectively). The CVI was decreased (=0.038). In the 3 month, the subfoveal CT, LA, and CVI revealed a decrease (=0.005, =0.039, 0.043, respectively). In the 12 month, subfoveal CT, LA, and CVI were decreased in comparison to baseline measures (<0.001, 0.006, 0.010, respectively).

Conclusion: Significant structural alterations are found after intravitreal aflibercept treatment during the 12-month follow-up, in particular at the third month, in eyes with nAMD.