Real-World 6-Month Treatment Outcomes of Faricimab in Turkey: The FARTURK Study

Abstract

Introduction: This work aims to evaluate the real-world efficacy and safety of intravitreal faricimab over a 6-month follow-up period. Methods: Data from 38 centers across Turkey were retrospectively analyzed between November 22, 2024, and May 4, 2025. Patients who received at least one intravitreal faricimab injection and had complete ophthalmic and optical coherence tomography (OCT) data with a minimum 1-month follow-up were included. Demographics, diagnosis, macular neovascularization (MNV) subtype, prior treatments, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA-decimal/ETDRS), central macular thickness (CMT), intra/subretinal fluid, MNV size, injection number, follow-up duration, and ocular/systemic adverse events were recorded at baseline, at week 2, and at month 1 after the first injection, after three injections, and at the final visit. Results: A total of 351 eyes from 316 patients were analyzed, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) (72.1%), diabetic macular edema (DME) (18.2%), retinal vein occlusion (RVO) (6.0%), and other MNV subtypes (3.7%). When comparing pre-treatment and final visits, naïve eyes showed a CMT reduction of 105.63 ± 114.89 µm (p < 0.001), while switch eyes had a CMT reduction of 86.58 ± 108.36 µm (p < 0.001). The total ETDRS letter gain from baseline to final visit was 16.3 ± 12.08 (p < 0.001) in naïve eyes and 8.3 ± 12.23 (p < 0.001) in switch eyes. Intraretinal and subretinal fluid rates significantly decreased (p < 0.001), and MNV area contracted on OCTA (p < 0.001). Only one mild, self-limited intraocular inflammation case (0.16%) occurred. Conclusions: Faricimab demonstrated rapid and significant anatomical and functional improvements in 6-month real-world data, evident as early as 15 days after the initial injection, with a safety profile comparable to phase III trials. These findings support faricimab as a potent and reliable therapeutic option in the real-world management of nAMD and DME, though extended follow-up is needed to assess long-term outcomes.