Real-World Outcomes of Faricimab for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in a Multi-ethnic Cohort: A 12-Month Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate 12-month real-world outcomes of faricimab for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in a multi-ethnic cohort. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of consecutive eyes with PCV diagnosed in routine care, treated with intravitreal faricimab, and with complete baseline and 12-month follow-up. One eye per patient was analyzed. Outcomes were reported for treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced eyes switched for persistent activity or limited durability. Primary endpoints were change in visual acuity (VA) and central subfield thickness (CST) at 12 months. Ethnicity-stratified outcomes were assessed secondarily. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 159 eyes (40 treatment-naïve, 119 treatment-experienced). In treatment-naïve eyes, mean VA improved from 61 (standard deviation [SD] 14) letters at baseline by + 6.8 letters (SD 16; P < 0.01) at 12 months, with CST reduction of - 54 µm (SD 100; P < 0.01) and mean 9.6 (SD 4.2) injections. In treatment-experienced eyes, paired VA change at 12 months was minimal (+ 0.27 letters, SD 12; P > 0.05), while CST decreased significantly by - 40 µm (SD 110; P < 0.01). Eyes received a mean of 8.2 (SD 4.2) faricimab injections over 12 months. Exploratory ethnicity-stratified analyses demonstrated baseline heterogeneity across groups, with broadly favorable anatomical and functional outcomes observed across the multi-ethnic cohort, but subgroup sizes precluded comparative efficacy assessment. CONCLUSIONS: In routine care, faricimab was associated with clinically meaningful visual improvement in treatment-naïve PCV and anatomical improvement in both treatment-naïve and -experienced eyes. Prospective studies with adequate ethnic representation are needed to validate these findings.