Initial Experience with Intravitreal Faricimab for Retinal Diseases at the University College Hospital, Ibadan

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of intravitreal faricimab for various retinal vascular diseases in a low-resource Nigerian setting and to provide preliminary insights that could inform future ophthalmological treatment protocols. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 13 cases (5 males and 8 females) at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Diagnoses included neovascular age-related maculopathy ( n = 2), haemorrhagic pigment epithelial detachment ( n = 2), central retinal vein occlusion with cystoid macular oedema ( n = 3), diabetic macular oedema ( n = 1), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy with clinically significant macular oedema ( n = 2), idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy ( n = 2) and Irvine–Gass syndrome ( n = 1). All patients received intravitreal injection of 6 mg in 0.05 mL of faricimab every four weeks. Follow-up assessments were based on visual acuity and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, with treatment frequency tailored to individual clinical responses over an average follow-up period of six months. Results: Faricimab therapy demonstrated notable anatomical improvements in OCT and gains in visual acuity across diverse retinal conditions. Although responses varied, the upgrades in retinal anatomy and function suggest a positive treatment effect across this heterogeneous group. Conclusion: Intravitreal faricimab shows promise as a therapeutic option for retinal vascular diseases in a low-resource setting. These preliminary findings provide a foundation for future controlled studies to refine treatment protocols and establish their efficacy in larger cohorts.