Effectiveness of monthly and fortnightly anti-VEGF treatments for age-related macular degeneration

Author(s)

Nunes, Renata Portella ^[1] ; Hirai, Flavio Eduardo ^[1] ; Barroso, Leticia Fernandes ^[1] ; Badaro, Emmerson ^[1] ; Novais, Eduardo ^[1] ; Rodrigues, Eduardo Buchele ^[1] ; Maia, Mauricio ^[1] ; Magalhaes, Jr., Octaviano ^[1] ; Farah, Michel Eid ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Ophthalmol & Visual Sci, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia; v. 82, n. 3, p. 225-232, MAY-JUN 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: To study the efficacy and safety of treatments with ranibizumab and bevacizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration. Methods: A parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of three regimens (bevacizumab every month, bevacizumab every 2 weeks, and ranibizumab every month), followed by as-needed retreatments, for 1 year, in previously untreated individuals with age-related macular degeneration. The primary outcome was change in visual acuity and in central macular thickness after 1 year of follow-up. Subjects were assigned randomly to one of the three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio, and investigators and examiners were blinded to the randomization results. Results: We included 15 patients in each group. After 1 year of follow-up, we found statistically significant improvements in visual acuity and central macular thickness reduction in all groups. However, we found no statistically significant differences between the three groups. Conclusions: The bi-weekly follow-up was effective and we found no significant differences in efficacy or safety between the treatments with ranibizumab and bevacizumab. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/15451-0 - A study on the cost-effectiveness on the pharmacologic treatments for age-related macular degeneration
• Grantee: Michel Eid Farah
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants