Evaluation of treatment interval extension and short-term stability after switching to faricimab in neovascular AMD, a mid-term observational study
In brief
Switching to faricimab lengthens injection intervals in 62% of high-burden AMD eyes
In a real-world series of 190 eyes previously needing injections every 5 weeks, faricimab extended the median interval to 6.7 weeks after six doses, with 45% of eyes gaining three weeks or more and 82% maintaining the longer schedule. Vision stayed stable and retinal thickness improved, though inflammation occurred in 3.7% of eyes.
- Journal
- Ophthalmologica. Journal international d'ophtalmologie. International journal of ophthalmology. Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde (Q1)
- Published
- 7 August 2026
- Study design
- Cohort / observational study
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- Benjamin Simond, Ines Fenniri, Nicolas Chirpaz, Sandra Elbany, Antonin Rocher, Christelle Gilli, et al.
- PMID
- 42566331
- DOI
- 10.1159/oph/aeeag007
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Ophthalmology (paper of the day, 8 August 2026): Faricimab switch extends intervals in high‑burden nAMD
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The SHIFT-HB study (SwitcH Faricimab Treatment in High Burden patients) aimed to evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes -and the short-term stability of extended dosing intervals- after switching to faricimab in high treatment burden (HB) neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) previously treated with first-generation anti-VEGF agents. The primary aim was to assess treatment interval changes after 6 intravitreal injections (IVI) and the persistence of interval gains between the 5th and 6th faricimab IVI. METHODS: Single-center, retrospective real-world study (November 2023-November 2024; tertiary center Edouard Herriot Hospital, Lyon). Eligible eyes had nAMD requiring ≤8-weeks intervals despite ≥6 prior aflibercept or ranibizumab injections. After the switch, all eyes received ≥6 faricimab IVIs under a proactive Treat-and-Extend regimen. Short-term stability was defined, among eyes with any interval gain, as a prescribed interval at V6 identical to or longer than that at realized at V5. RESULTS: 190 eyes from 158 patients (mean age 81 ± 7.5 years; 57.9% female) were included. The mean pre-switch interval was 4.9 ± 1.2 weeks and increased to 6.7 weeks after 6 faricimab IVIs (p=5.85x10-20). Interval increased in 61.6% of eyes; among these, 45% gained ≥ 3 weeks (range +3 to +8). Short-term stability between V5 and V6 occurred in 82.3% of responders. The maximum interval was first achieved at V6 in 52.1% of responder eyes. Among eyes with paired baseline and V6 measurements, best corrected visual acuity remained stable (69.2 vs 71.2 ETDRS letters; p=0.67), while central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased (303.1 µm to 287.2 µm; p=9.98x10-4). Intraocular inflammation occurred in 7 eyes (3.7%; 0.61% of injections) and led to drug discontinuation. CONCLUSION: In real world HB nAMD, switching to faricimab enabled a significant extension of injection intervals in nearly two-thirds of eyes while maintaining vision and improving OCT anatomy, supporting faricimab as a strategy to reduce treatment burden in this difficult to treat population.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.