Fixed-interval versus OCT-guided variable dosing of intravitreal bevacizumab in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Purpose To compare the efficacy of as-needed or variable dosing of intravitreal bevacizumab to continuous fixed-interval dosing in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design Prospective, open-label, randomized clinical study.

Methods One hundred twenty eyes of 120 patients with treatment-naïve subfoveal neovascular AMD participated in this study at the American University of Beirut and Hotel Dieu de France Retina Clinics. Eyes were randomized (1:1) to fixed-interval dosing (every 4 to 6 weeks) or variable dosing with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) were measured at baseline and at each follow-up visit. Presence or recurrence of fluid on OCT was the main indicator for retreatment in variable dosing. Main outcome measure was improvement in BCVA and CRT at 12 months.

Results Compared to baseline, variable dosing had a mean improvement in BCVA of 11.0 letters after 12 months vs 9.2 letters for fixed-interval dosing (P = .81). Similarly, CRT decreased after 12 months by 80.7 μm for variable dosing vs 100.5 μm for fixed-interval dosing (P = .37). The average number of injections over 12 months was higher for fixed-interval dosing than variable dosing (9.5 vs 3.8 injections, P < .001).

Conclusions Fixed-interval and variable dosing regimens of intravitreal bevacizumab improved visual acuity and anatomic outcomes after 12 months in eyes with neovascular AMD. However, variable dosing had a reduced treatment burden. Larger trials are needed to confirm these results.