The primary objective of this proposed research study is to evaluate the safety of intravitreal ranibizumab in combination with intravitreal dexamethasone in comparison to intravitreal ranibizumab alone in the treatment of wet ARMD. The addition of the broad spectrum anti-inflammatory activity of dexamethasone may augment the anti-VEGF activity of ranibizumab by amelioration of inflammation existing in the microenvironment of the choroidal neovascularization. While the anti-VEGF agents have proven to be very efficacious in the treatment of exudative ARMD, their narrow target and window of activity may limit their overall durability of action.
A prospective, single masked comparative trial using either combination therapy (group 1): same day combination therapy with 0.05cc intravitreal dexamethasone injection (10mg/ml vial) and a single 0.5 mg intravitreal ranibizumab injection for four consecutive months will be compared to monotherapy (group 2): one intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg ranibizumab also given for four consecutive months. These treatments will then be followed by PRN treatment based on clinical exam, angiographic studies, and OCT evidence of residual subretinal fluid, CME, subretinal hemorrhage, or pigment epithelial detachment. Fluorescein angiography and fundus photography will be performed at baseline and at the 1, 3, 6, and 12 month follow-up visits. Only OCT testing will be performed at all follow-up visits. Both groups will be re-evaluated for safety at 12 and 24 months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
Combination therapy (group 1): same day combination therapy with 0.05cc dose intravitreal dexamethasone injection (10mg/ml vial) and a single 0.5 mg intravitreal ranibizumab injection
intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg ranibizumab
Bay Area Retina Associates
Walnut Creek, California, United States
Incidence and severity of ocular adverse events and visual acuity
Time frame: 6 months and 12 months
Total number of treatments required
Time frame: 12 months
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