6533b85efe1ef96bd12bfb4b

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Evidence of neuroplasticity in the human visual cortex following beneficial anti-VEGF treatment in exudative age-related macular degeneration

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Purpose Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents have been shown to improve visual acuity and prevent vision loss in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). As the vision improves relatively quickly in response to intravitreal injections, we wanted to know whether this improvement is reflected in electrophysiolocal markers of visual cortical processing. Methods Our interventional case series included 6 elderly patients who underwent injection treatment to the affected eye. Their visual acuity, tomographic images of retinal thickness and visual evoked potentials (VEP) were assessed before of the treatment and six weeks after the last injection. Results All patients showed improved visual acuity and reduced retinal fluid after the treatment. All but one patient showed increased VEP P100 component amplitudes and/or shortened latencies in the treated eye. These VEP changes were consistent with improved vision while the untreated eyes showed no changes. Conclusion Our results indicate that anti-VEGF injections improved visual function of the treated eyes both in the level of the retina and in level of visual cortical processing.