-
1.
Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implants of Vitrectomized and Nonvitrectomized Eyes in a Real-World Study.
Rezkallah, A, Malclès, A, Dot, C, Voirin, N, Agard, É, Vié, AL, Denis, P, Mathis, T, Kodjikian, L
Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2018;(8):596-602
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the efficacy and safety of the dexamethasone (DEX) intravitreal implant of vitrectomized and nonvitrectomized eyes in real-world conditions. METHODS This was a retrospective, multicenter, observational study. All consecutive patients presenting with at least one 0.7-mg intravitreal injection of DEX implant were included in this study. A total of 186 eyes in 170 patients were analyzed. Fifty-nine eyes were vitrectomized at baseline and 127 eyes had no vitrectomy at the last visit. Among the baseline-vitrectomized eyes analyzed, 72.9% were treatment naive eyes, and 44.1% of nonvitrectomized eyes had no prior treatment. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in the variation in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between the 2 groups (P = 0.343). Variations of BCVA and central macular thickness were not significantly different between nonvitrectomized eyes and baseline-vitrectomized eyes. The intraocular pressure profile was the same in both nonvitrectomized eyes and baseline-vitrectomized eyes. The mean interval between injections was 6.9 months (2; 27.7) for nonvitrectomized eyes and 5.2 months (4; 22.1) for baseline-vitrectomized eyes (P = 0.001). The mean number of IVIs was 2 (1; 6) for nonvitrectomized eyes and 2.3 (1; 10) for baseline-vitrectomized eyes (P = 0.188) during the total follow-up period. CONCLUSION This large cohort shows that vitrectomy does not seem to influence the efficacy and safety profile of dexamethasone intravitreal implant for DME.
-
2.
Dietary folate, B vitamins, genetic susceptibility and progression to advanced nonexudative age-related macular degeneration with geographic atrophy: a prospective cohort study.
Merle, BM, Silver, RE, Rosner, B, Seddon, JM
The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2016;(4):1135-44
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing evidence of the importance of nutrition in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but few studies have explored associations with folate and B vitamins. No effective therapeutic strategy for geographic atrophy (GA) is available, and prevention could be of great value. OBJECTIVE We investigated associations between dietary folate, B vitamins, and progression to GA and whether these associations might be modified by genetic susceptibility. DESIGN Among 2525 subjects (4663 eyes) in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, 405 subjects (528 eyes) progressed to GA over 13 y. Folate and B vitamins were log transformed and calorie adjusted separately for men and women. Ten loci in 7 AMD genes [complement factor H, age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2/high-temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1, complement component 2, complement component 3, complement factor B, collagen type VIII α 1, and RAD51 paralog B] were examined. Survival analysis was used to assess associations between incident GA and dietary intake of folate and B vitamins. Interaction effects between these nutrients and genetic variation on AMD risk were also evaluated. Subjects with at least one eye free of advanced AMD at baseline were included in these analyses. RESULTS There was a reduced risk of progression to GA with increasing intake of thiamin, riboflavin, and folate after adjusting for age, sex, and total energy intake (P-trend = 0.01, 0.03, and 0.001, respectively). After adjustment for demographic, behavioral, ocular, and genetic covariates, trends remained statistically significant for folate (P-trend = 0.007) and were borderline for thiamin (P-trend = 0.05). Riboflavin did not retain statistical significance (P-trend = 0.20). Folate was significantly associated with lower risk of incident GA among subjects homozygous for the complement component 3 (C3) R102G rs2230199 nonrisk genotype (CC) (HR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.70; P = 0.0005) but not subjects carrying the risk allele (G) (P = 0.76). Neither folate nor any B vitamin was significantly associated with neovascular AMD. CONCLUSIONS High folate intake was associated with a reduced risk of progression to GA. This relation could be modified by genetic susceptibility, particularly related to the C3 genotype. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00594672.
-
3.
A randomised controlled trial to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alternative treatments to Inhibit VEGF in Age-related choroidal Neovascularisation (IVAN).
Chakravarthy, U, Harding, SP, Rogers, CA, Downes, S, Lotery, AJ, Dakin, HA, Culliford, L, Scott, LJ, Nash, RL, Taylor, J, et al
Health technology assessment (Winchester, England). 2015;(78):1-298
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bevacizumab (Avastin®, Roche), which is used in cancer therapy, is the 'parent' molecule from which ranibizumab (Lucentis®, Novartis) was derived for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). There were reports in the literature on the effectiveness of bevacizumab in treating nAMD, but no trials. The cost per dose of bevacizumab is about 5-10% that of ranibizumab. This trial was a head-to-head comparison of these two drugs. OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab and bevacizumab, and two treatment regimens, for nAMD. DESIGN Multicentre, factorial randomised controlled trial with within-trial cost-utility and cost-minimisation analyses from the perspective of the UK NHS. Participants, health professionals and researchers were masked to allocation of drug but not regimen. Computer-generated random allocations to combinations of ranibizumab or bevacizumab, and continuous or discontinuous regimen, were stratified by centre, blocked and concealed. SETTING Twenty-three ophthalmology departments in NHS hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Patients ≥ 50 years old with active nAMD in the study eye with best corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 25 letters measured on a Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. Previous treatment for nAMD, long-standing disease, lesion diameter > 6000 µm, thick blood at the fovea and any other confounding ocular disease were exclusion criteria. One eye per participant was studied; the fellow eye was treated according to usual care, if required. INTERVENTIONS Ranibizumab and bevacizumab were procured commercially. Doses were ranibizumab 0.5 mg or bevacizumab 1.25 mg. The repackaged bevacizumab was quality assured. All participants were treated at visits 0, 1 and 2. Participants randomised to the continuous regimen were treated monthly thereafter. Participants randomised to the discontinuous regimen were not retreated after visit 2 unless pre-specified criteria for active disease were met. If retreatment was needed, monthly injections over 3 months were mandated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was BCVA. The non-inferiority margin was 3.5 letters. Secondary outcomes were contrast sensitivity; near visual acuity; reading index; neovascular lesion morphology; generic and disease-specific patient-reported outcomes, including macular disease-specific quality of life; survival free from treatment failure; resource use; quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs); and development of new geographic atrophy (GA) (outcome added during the trial). Results are reported for the study eye, except for patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS Between 27 March 2008 and 15 October 2010, 610 participants were allocated and treated (314 ranibizumab, 296 bevacizumab; at 3 months, 305 continuous, 300 discontinuous). After 2 years, bevacizumab was neither non-inferior nor inferior to ranibizumab [-1.37 letters, 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.75 to +1.01 letters] and discontinuous treatment was neither non-inferior nor inferior to continuous treatment (-1.63 letters, 95% CI -4.01 to +0.75 letters). Lesion thickness at the fovea was similar by drug [geometric mean ratio (GMR) 0.96, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.03; p = 0.24] but 9% less with continuous treatment (GMR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.97; p = 0.004). Odds of developing new GA during the trial were similar by drug [odds ratio (OR) 0.87, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.25; p = 0.46] but significantly higher with continuous treatment (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.11; p = 0.033). Safety outcomes did not differ by drug but mortality was lower with continuous treatment (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.03; p = 0.05). Continuous ranibizumab cost £3.5M per QALY compared with continuous bevacizumab; continuous bevacizumab cost £30,220 per QALY compared with discontinuous bevacizumab. These results were robust in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS Ranibizumab and bevacizumab have similar efficacy. Discontinuing treatment and restarting when required results in slightly worse efficacy. Safety was worse with discontinuous treatment, although new GA developed more often with continuous treatment. Ranibizumab is not cost-effective, although it remains uncertain whether or not continuous bevacizumab is cost-effective compared with discontinuous bevacizumab at £20,000 per QALY threshold. Future studies should focus on the ocular safety of the two drugs, further optimisation of treatment regimens and criteria for stopping treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN92166560. FUNDING This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 19, No. 78. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
-
4.
Cardiovascular disease, its risk factors and treatment, and age-related macular degeneration: Women's Health Initiative Sight Exam ancillary study.
Klein, R, Deng, Y, Klein, BE, Hyman, L, Seddon, J, Frank, RN, Wallace, RB, Hendrix, SL, Kuppermann, BD, Langer, RD, et al
American journal of ophthalmology. 2007;(3):473-83
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the association of cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD risk factors, and CVD treatment with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN Observational analysis of a randomized clinical trial. SETTINGS The Women's Health Initiative Sight Examination (WHISE), an ancillary study to the Women's Health Initiative's clinical trial of hormone replacement therapy. STUDY POPULATION A total of 4,288 women age 63 years and older. OBSERVATION PROCEDURES Information on CVD and its risk factors were obtained from a standardized questionnaire and examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE AMD as determined by standardized grading of fundus photographs. RESULTS Prevalence of any AMD was 21.4% (n = 919). Of those with AMD, 5.8% (n = 53) had signs of exudative AMD (n = 39) or pure geographic atrophy (n = 14), limiting the power to examine associations. Significant associations between late AMD and CVD risk factors were (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]) older age (1.19, 1.13 to 1.27, P < .0001), more pack years smoked (1.02 per pack-year smoked, 1.003 to 1.03, P = .01), systolic blood pressure (0.84 per 10 mm Hg, 0.71 to 0.995, P = .04), report of taking calcium channel blockers (2.49, 1.21 to 5.12, P = .04), self-reported history of diabetes (2.00, 1.01 to 3.96, P = .05), and greater body mass index (1.05 per 1 kg/m, 1.001 to 1.10, P = .05). History of myocardial infarction, stroke, use of statins, or white blood cell count was not associated with AMD. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that smoking, use of calcium channel blockers, diabetes, and obesity are risk factors for late AMD in women. However, the association of late AMD with systolic blood pressure and the effects of other CVD risk factors on early AMD need to be further explored.
-
5.
Effect of adjunctive diclofenac with verteporfin therapy to treat choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration: phase II study.
, , Boyer, DS, Beer, PM, Joffe, L, Koester, JM, Marx, JL, Weisberger, A, Yoser, SL
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2007;(6):693-700
Abstract
BACKGROUND To determine short-term effects of topical diclofenac administered in conjunction with verteporfin therapy for predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Randomized, multicenter (14), prospective, placebo-controlled, double-masked clinical trial. Patients (n=61) were randomly assigned to treatment with diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution 0.1% or placebo and followed for 12 weeks. Patients instilled diclofenac or placebo two drops four times daily, 2-4 days before verteporfin treatment until 2 weeks after treatment, then two drops twice daily for 10 weeks. This exploratory study was not powered to detect differences between treatment groups. Statistical analyses were conducted solely to aid interpretation of results. RESULTS In diclofenac-treated eyes, mean changes in visual acuity letter score from baseline in the diclofenac and placebo groups were +1.8 letters and -1.0 at week 1 (P=0.505 between groups). Mean visual acuity letter scores decreased in both groups at all subsequent visits, with a mean change at 12 weeks of -7.4 with diclofenac and -2.6 with placebo (P=0.213). Percentages of eyes with stable or improved vision (change or=5 letters) were similar in the diclofenac and placebo groups at all study visits. No significant between-group differences in changes from baseline in lesion area, greatest linear dimension (GLD), fluorescein leakage, or retinal thickness were detected. CONCLUSION In patients with predominantly classic subfoveal CNV due to AMD, administration of topical diclofenac with verteporfin therapy was associated with similar vision outcomes to placebo plus verteporfin therapy.
-
6.
Prophylactic treatment of age-related macular degeneration report number 1: 810-nanometer laser to eyes with drusen. Unilaterally eligible patients.
Friberg, TR, Musch, DC, Lim, JI, Morse, L, Freeman, W, Sinclair, S, ,
Ophthalmology. 2006;(4):622.e1
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of subthreshold 810-nm-diode laser treatment on the rate of development of choroidal neovascularization (primary end point) and the effect on visual acuity (VA) in participants with multiple large drusen in one eye and a preexisting neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) lesion in the other. DESIGN Multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS Two hundred forty-four patients > or =50 years of age and with a neovascular or advanced AMD lesion in one eye and, in the fellow "study" eye, (1) at least 5 drusen > or = 63 mum in diameter, (2) Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study best-corrected VA (BCVA) of 20/63 or better, and (3) no evidence of neovascularization at baseline. METHODS Patients were randomized to treatment or observation of their study eye at each of 22 centers. At each visit, the protocol specified that BCVA, a complete retinal examination, and fluorescein angiography be documented. Treated eyes had a grid of 48 extrafoveal, subthreshold diode (810 nm) laser spots, 125 mum in diameter, placed in an annulus outside of the foveola. Patients were seen at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after randomization. No retreatments were allowed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Development of choroidal neovascularization (as confirmed by fluorescein angiography) and change in BCVA. RESULTS Throughout follow-up, the rate of choroidal neovascularization events in treated eyes consistently exceeded that in observed eyes. At 1 year, the difference was 15.8% versus 1.4% (P = 0.05). Most of the intergroup differences in choroidal neovascularization events occurred during the first 2 years of follow-up. Treated eyes showed a higher rate of VA loss (> or =3 lines) at 3- and 6-month follow-ups relative to observed eyes (8.3% vs. 1% and 11.4% vs. 4%, respectively; Ps = 0.02, 0.07). After 6 months, no significant differences were observed in VA loss between groups. CONCLUSION Prophylactic subthreshold 810-nm-diode laser treatment to an eye with multiple large drusen in a patient whose fellow eye has already suffered a neovascular event places the treated eye at higher risk of developing choroidal neovascularization. We advise against using prophylactic subthreshold diode laser treatment in these eyes.
-
7.
Associations of mortality with ocular disorders and an intervention of high-dose antioxidants and zinc in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study: AREDS Report No. 13.
Clemons, TE, Kurinij, N, Sperduto, RD, ,
Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960). 2004;(5):716-26
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the association of ocular disorders and high doses of antioxidants or zinc with mortality in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). METHODS Baseline fundus and lens photographs were used to grade the macular and lens status of AREDS participants. Participants were randomly assigned to receive oral supplements of high-dose antioxidants, zinc, antioxidants plus zinc, or placebo. Risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality was assessed using adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS During median follow-up of 6.5 years, 534 (11%) of 4753 AREDS participants died. In fully adjusted models, participants with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared with participants with few, if any, drusen had increased mortality (relative risk [RR], 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.86). Advanced AMD was associated with cardiovascular deaths. Compared with participants having good acuity in both eyes, those with visual acuity worse than 20/40 in 1 eye had increased mortality (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.12-1.65). Nuclear opacity (RR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.12-1.75) and cataract surgery (RR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.18-2.05) were associated with increased all-cause mortality and with cancer deaths. Participants randomly assigned to receive zinc had lower mortality than those not taking zinc (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.61-0.89). CONCLUSIONS The decreased survival of AREDS participants with AMD and cataract suggests that these conditions may reflect systemic rather than only local processes. The improved survival in individuals randomly assigned to receive zinc requires further study.
-
8.
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration: phase II study results.
,
Ophthalmology. 2003;(5):979-86
Abstract
PURPOSE There is evidence to suggest that anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy may be useful in treating ocular neovascularization. A phase IA single intravitreal injection study of anti-VEGF therapy for patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) revealed a good safety profile. We performed a phase II multiple injection study of anti-VEGF therapy with and without photodynamic therapy for patients with subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD to determine the safety profile of multiple injection therapy. DESIGN A phase II multiple-dose safety study. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS Twenty-one patients were treated with intravitreal injection with and without photodynamic therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinical evidence of toxicity and complications. RESULTS No drug-related serious adverse events were revealed. Ophthalmic evaluation revealed that 87.5% of patients who received the anti-VEGF aptamer alone showed stabilized or improved vision 3 months after treatment and that 25% of eyes demonstrated a 3 line or greater improvement in vision on the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart during this period. A 60% 3 line gain at 3 months was noted in patients who received both the anti-VEGF aptamer and photodynamic therapy. CONCLUSIONS Anti-VEGF therapy is a promising treatment for various forms of ocular neovascularization, including AMD. Multiple intravitreal injections of the anti-VEGF aptamer were well tolerated in this phase II study. Further clinical trials are necessary to demonstrate the efficacy and long-term safety of anti-VEGF therapy for AMD.