Long-Term Management of RAP Lesions in Clinical Practice: Treatment Efficacy and Predictors of Functional Improvement

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of ranibizumab in the treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) and to identify predictors of functional outcome. METHODS: Retrospective case series comprised 79 eyes of 68 consecutive patients with RAP followed up ≥36 months. Primary end-points were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) variation at 36 months and at the last visit. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 59.8 ± 16.0 months. All eyes were treated with pro re nata ranibizumab, with (n = 33) or without (n = 46) photodynamic therapy (PDT). Stabilization or improvement in BCVA was observed in 50.6% of the patients at 36 months, and in 40.5% at the end of the follow-up, where 20.3% preserved reading vision. A significant decrease in CMT was observed at 36 months (p < 0.001), but not at the end of the follow-up. Geographic atrophy (GA) was present in 59.5% of the eyes at the final visit. Baseline subretinal fluid was associated with better visual outcomes (p = 0.001). Results of combination treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab and PDT did not significantly differ from ranibizumab monotherapy. CONCLUSION: Modest functional outcomes can be expected from the long-term treatment of RAP lesions in clinical practice, most likely due to the advent of GA. Baseline subretinal fluid positively correlated with final BCVA.