LAUSR

PURPOSE To assess the effect of the total number of fluid-free months after loading on visual and anatomical outcomes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. METHODS This post-hoc analysis pooled patient-level data from the brolucizumab 6 mg (n=718) and aflibercept 2 mg (n=715) arms of the HAWK and HARRIER randomized clinical trials. Based on data from Weeks 12 to 96, patients were assigned to one of 5 categories based on fluid-free visits (FFV; the total number of monthly visits at which they were observed to be without retinal fluid). Three definitions of 'fluid-free' were explored based on the location of the fluid observed. RESULTS Patients allocated to categories 4 (15-21 FFV) and 5 (22 FFV, always dry) consistently had the best visual and anatomical outcomes at Week 96, while patients allocated to categories 1 (0 FFV, never dry) and 2 (1-7 FFV) consistently had the worst visual and anatomical outcomes. Variability in retinal thickness over time was lowest in categories 4 and 5. CONCLUSION Absence of retinal fluid at more visits after loading has a positive association with visual and anatomic outcomes in nAMD patients, regardless of fluid type.