Improved vision-related function after ranibizumab for macular edema after retinal vein occlusion: results from the BRAVO and CRUISE trials

Ophthalmology. 2012 Oct;119(10):2108-18. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2012.05.017. Epub 2012 Jul 18.

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the impact of intravitreal ranibizumab on patient-reported visual function using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) through 6 months in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to branch or central retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Design: Two multicenter, double-masked trials, which enrolled participants with ME secondary to branch or central RVO: the RanibizumaB for the Treatment of Macular Edema following BRAnch Retinal Vein Occlusion: Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety (BRAVO) trial or the Central Retinal Vein OcclUsIon Study: Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety (CRUISE) trial.

Participants: Three hundred ninety-seven BRAVO and 392 CRUISE patients.

Methods: Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to monthly sham, 0.3-mg, or 0.5-mg injections of ranibizumab for 6 months.

Main outcome measures: Although visual acuity was the main outcome measure for the trials, mean change from baseline in NEI VFQ-25 scores at month 6 was a secondary outcome measure.

Results: In BRAVO, among the 132, 134, and 131 patients randomized, respectively, to sham, 0.3 mg ranibizumab, or 0.5 mg ranibizumab, the study eye was the worse-seeing eye in 121 (91.7%), 118 (88.1%), and 125 (95.4%) patients and 123 (93.2%), 128 (95.5%), and 125 (95.4%), respectively, had a 6-month follow-up visit. In CRUISE, among the 130, 132, and 130 patients randomized, respectively, to sham, 0.3 mg ranibizumab, and 0.5 mg ranibizumab, the study eye was the worse-seeing eye in 117 (90.0%), 123 (93.2%), and 120 (92.3%) patients and 115 (88.5%), 129 (97.7%), and 119 (91.5%), respectively, had a 6-month follow-up visit. In both trials, patients treated with ranibizumab reported greater mean improvements in visual function, with substantial differences observed as early as month 1, including the NEI VFQ-25 composite score and near and distance activities subscales, compared with sham patients. P values for comparisons with sham for the composite score and these 2 subscales were <0.05.

Conclusions: These results from the BRAVO and CRUISE trials indicate that patients with ME from RVOs treated with monthly ranibizumab report greater improvements in vision-related function compared with sham-treated patients through 6 months, even when a majority of patients present with RVOs in the worse-seeing eye.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Macular Edema / drug therapy*
  • Macular Edema / physiopathology
  • Ranibizumab
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / drug therapy*
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / physiopathology
  • Sickness Impact Profile
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity / physiology*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Ranibizumab