Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Introduction: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Australia. Faricimab is a new medication introduced to clinical practice that aims to have longer lasting efficacy, therefore reducing the frequency of injections.

Methods: Retrospective chart review clinical study was undertaken at a single tertiary Ophthalmology department for patients with neovascular ARMD whose treatment was switched to faricimab between January 2023 and June 2024. Outcome measures included change in frequency of injections, improvement in visual acuity and structural improvement on ocular coherence tomography.

Results: Total of 52 eyes were included in the study, with mean age of 78.2 years. The majority of patients (87%) were receiving intravitreal aflibercept 2mg prior to switching to faricimab. Mean follow up for our patient cohort was 8.3 months (SD = 4.1). The average reduction in central macula thickness with faricimab was 41.67 microns (SD = 72.47) which was statistically significant (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between visual acuity prior to the conversion (M = 0.44, SD = 0.40) and after converting to faricimab [(M = 0.43, SD 0.45); p = 0.64]. Patients who were switched to faricimab did not have significant extension of injection duration (M difference = 0.01, SD = 0.17; p = 0.64). Conclusion: Similar to previous studies, faricimab is safe and effective in improving retinal morphology in wet ARMD without reduction in visual acuity.