Early Outcomes of Faricimab Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema in Patients Previously Treated With Anti-VEGF Therapy

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2025 Jul;56(7):408-417. doi: 10.3928/23258160-20250228-01. Epub 2025 Apr 18.

Abstract

Background and objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term outcomes of switching to intravitreal faricimab injections (IFIs) from prior anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).

Patients and methods: A retrospective review was done of patients with DME previously treated with anti-VEGF and subsequently switched to IFIs. Optical coherence tomography scans were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively to evaluate intraretinal fluid changes and central subfield thickness (CST).

Results: A total of 62 eyes from 41 patients were analyzed with a mean follow-up time of 36.4 ± 14.4 weeks. After receiving three IFIs, treatment interval increased significantly by 3.2 weeks (P < 0.001), CST decreased significantly by 43.8 µm (P = 0.014), and visual acuity remained stable (63.2 vs 64.4 approximate ETDRS letters, P = 0.720). Seventeen eyes (27.4%) were switched back to their prior anti-VEGF agent, with one case of suspected IFI-related uveitis.

Conclusion: Faricimab appears to be a viable option for some DME patients who require a change in anti-VEGF therapy. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2025;56:408-414.].

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Diabetic Retinopathy* / complications
  • Diabetic Retinopathy* / diagnosis
  • Diabetic Retinopathy* / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Macular Edema* / diagnosis
  • Macular Edema* / drug therapy
  • Macular Edema* / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ranibizumab
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Visual Acuity*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Ranibizumab
  • faricimab
  • Antibodies, Bispecific