This study is being conducted to determine if intravitreal injections of ranibizumab decrease the proportion of eyes in which vitrectomy is performed compared with saline injections in eyes presenting with vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
In mild to moderate cases of vitreous hemorrhage, panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) is performed when possible to achieve regression of new vessels or at least stabilization of the neovascularization with no further growth in order to decrease the probability of subsequent vitreous hemorrhage while spontaneous absorption of the hemorrhage occurs. In cases in which the hemorrhage is too dense to apply PRP, vitrectomy is considered to remove the hemorrhage and provide a clear media for application of PRP (often as endolaser photocoagulation) as well as eliminate extensive neovascularization and relieve traction retinal detachments. Pars plana vitrectomy was introduced in the 1970s as a surgical intervention in diabetes for non-clearing vitreous hemorrhage, traction retinal detachment or very severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The goal of vitrectomy in such eyes is to remove the hemorrhage and provide a clear media for application of PRP (often as endolaser photocoagulation) as well as eliminate extensive neovascularization and relieve traction retinal detachments. Many advances in instrumentation and technique have resulted in a dramatic reduction in complications over the last few decades, but surgical complications remain including the following: neovascular glaucoma, retinal detachment, fibrinoid syndrome, endophthalmitis and hypotony with subsequent phthisis bulbi. Recovery for the subject can take up to 6 weeks. Increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels have been demonstrated in the retina and vitreous of human eyes with diabetic retinopathy, especially PDR. VEGF has been demonstrated to increase vessel permeability by increasing the phosphorylation of tight junction proteins, and has been shown to increase retinal vascular permeability in in vivo models. Anti-VEGF therapy, therefore, may represent a useful therapeutic modality which targets the underlying pathogenesis of PDR while vitreous hemorrhage clears to facilitate the placement of PRP, potentially avoiding vitrectomy. This study is designed to determine if intravitreal injections of ranibizumab will facilitate clearing of vitreous hemorrhage and avoidance of vitrectomy and its potential complications. Compared with a surgical intervention, use of an intravitreal agent associated with fewer vitrectomies would be preferable because of the reduced costs, reduced time to treatment, reduced intervention time, relatively low risk of side effects, and reduced recovery time. An intravitreal agent also would be a useful alternative for patients who are unwilling to undergo surgery. Furthermore, the study will determine the safety of this medication in the setting of PDR.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
261
Intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg ranibizumab (Lucentis™) at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks
Saline injection of 0.5mg at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks
Treatment or "Failure" Defined as Vitrectomy
The cumulative probabilities of vitrectomy by 16 weks (112 days) in each group were computed using the life-table method. The treatment group comparison was made using the log-rank test. Data were censored at the time point of the participant's last completed visit.
Time frame: within 112 days of randomization
Safety (Injected-related, Ocular Drug-related and Systemic Drug-related)
Time frame: Baseline to 16 weeks
Ability to Complete Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP) in the Absence of Vitrectomy
The proportion of eyes with "complete" panretinal photocoagulation by 16 weeks in abscence of vitrectomy was computed using the life-table method and treatment groups were compared using the log-rank test.
Time frame: within 112 days of randomization
Extent of Vitreous Hemorrhage Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography Signal Strength
Optical coherence tomography signal strength was evaluated as a potential indicator of vitreous hemorrhage density in an exploratory analysis. This analysis included only eyes with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) signal strength equals to 0 at baseline.
Time frame: 4, 8 and 12 weeks
Visual Acuity Adjusted for the Baseline Acuity Regardless of Vitrectomy Status
Visual acuity was analyzed using a longitudinal mixed regression model adjusting for baseline visual acuity.Unit of measure is based on the E-ETDRS visual acuity letter score scale, 0-97, where 0 = worst and 97 = best.
Time frame: 4, 8 and 12 weeks
Visual Acuity Better Than 20/40 and no Vitrectomy Prior to the Visit
Time frame: 4, 8 and 12 weeks
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Retinal Consultants of AZ
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Severe Visual Acuity Loss (Defined as <20/200)
Time frame: 4,8 and 12 weeks
Very Severe Visual Acuity Loss (Defined as <20/800)
Time frame: 4,8 and 12 weeks