MedPath

Anti-VEGF vs. Prompt Vitrectomy for VH From PDR

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Vitreous Hemorrhage
Interventions
Procedure: Prompt Vitrectomy Plus Panretinal Photocoagulation
Registration Number
NCT02858076
Lead Sponsor
Jaeb Center for Health Research
Brief Summary

Although vitreous hemorrhage (VH) from proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) can cause acute and dramatic vision loss for patients with diabetes, there is no current, evidence-based clinical guidance as to what treatment method is most likely to provide the best visual outcomes once intervention is desired. Intravitreous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy alone or vitrectomy combined with intraoperative PRP each provide the opportunity to stabilize or regress retinal neovascularization. However, clinical trials are lacking to elucidate the relative time frame of visual recovery or final visual outcome in prompt vitrectomy compared with initial anti-VEGF treatment. The Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network Protocol N demonstrated short-term trends consistent with a possible beneficial effect of anti-VEGF treatment in eyes with VH from PDR, including greater visual acuity improvement and reduced rates of recurrent VH as compared with saline injection. It is possible that a study with a longer duration of follow-up with structured anti-VEGF retreatment would demonstrate even greater effectiveness of anti-VEGF for VH to avoid vitrectomy and its attendant adverse events while also improving visual acuity. On the other hand, advances in surgical techniques leading to faster operative times, quicker patient recovery, and reduced complication rates may make prompt vitrectomy a more attractive alternative since it results in the immediate ability to clear hemorrhage and to perform PRP if desired, often as part of one procedure. This proposed study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of two treatment approaches for eyes with VH from PDR: prompt vitrectomy + PRP and intravitreous aflibercept injections.

Detailed Description

A participant could have only one eye enrolled in the study.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
205
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Age >= 18 years Participants <18 years old are not being included because proliferative diabetic retinopathy is so rare in this age group that the diagnosis may be questionable.
  2. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2)

Any one of the following will be considered to be sufficient evidence that diabetes is present:

  • Current regular use of insulin for the treatment of diabetes

  • Current regular use of oral anti-hyperglycemia agents for the treatment of diabetes

  • Documented diabetes by American Diabetes Association and/or World Health Organization criteria 4. Able and willing to provide informed consent. 5. Patient is willing and able to undergo vitrectomy within next 2 weeks and the vitrectomy can be scheduled within that time frame.

    1. Vitreous hemorrhage causing vision impairment, presumed to be from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, for which intervention is deemed necessary.
    • Note: Prior panretinal photocoagulation is neither a requirement nor an exclusion.

    • Subhyaloid hemorrhage alone does not make an eye eligible; however, presence of subhyaloid hemorrhage in addition to the criteria above will not preclude participation provided the investigator is comfortable with either treatment regimen.

      1. Immediate vitrectomy not required (investigator and participant are willing to wait at least 4 months to see if hemorrhage clears sufficiently with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor without having to proceed to vitrectomy).

      2. Visual acuity letter score ≤78 (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/32) and at least light perception.

      3. Investigators should use particular caution when considering enrollment of an eye with visual acuity letter score 69 to 78 (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/32 to 20/40) to ensure that the need for vitrectomy and its potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.

Exclusion Criteria
  • A potential participant is not eligible if any of the following exclusion criteria are present:

    1. History of chronic renal failure requiring dialysis (including placement of fistula if performed in preparation for dialysis) or kidney transplant.

    2. A condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude participation in the study (e.g., unstable medical status including blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and glycemic control).

    3. Initiation of intensive insulin treatment (a pump or multiple daily injections) within 4 months prior to randomization or plans to do so in the next 4 months.

    4. A condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude participant undergoing elective vitrectomy surgery if indicated during the study.

    5. Participation in an investigational trial within 30 days of randomization that involved treatment with any drug that has not received regulatory approval for the indication being studied.

      • Note: participants cannot receive another investigational drug while participating in the study.

    6. Known allergy to any component of the study drug or any drug used in the injection prep (including povidone iodine).

    7. Blood pressure > 180/110 (systolic above 180 or diastolic above 110).

    8. If blood pressure is brought below 180/110 by anti-hypertensive treatment, potential participant can become eligible.

    9. Systemic anti-vascular endothelial growth factor or pro-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment within 4 months prior to randomization.

      • These drugs cannot be used during the study.

    10. For women of child-bearing potential: pregnant or lactating or intending to become pregnant within the next two years.

      • Women who are potential participants should be questioned about the potential for pregnancy. Investigator judgment is used to determine when a pregnancy test is needed.

    11. Potential participant is expecting to move out of the area of the clinical center to an area not covered by another clinical center during the two years.

    12. Evidence of traction detachment involving or threatening the macula.

      • If the density of the hemorrhage precludes a visual assessment on clinical exam to confirm eligibility, then it is recommended that assessment be performed with ultrasound as standard care.

    13. Evidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

      • If the density of the hemorrhage precludes a visual assessment on clinical exam to confirm eligibility, then it is recommended that assessment be performed with ultrasound as standard care.

    14. Evidence of neovascular glaucoma (iris or angle neovascularization is not an exclusion).

    15. Known diabetic macular edema (DME), defined as either

    16. Optical coherence tomography central subfield thickness (microns):

    17. Zeiss Cirrus: ≥290 in women; ≥305 in men

    18. Heidelberg Spectralis: ≥305 in women; ≥320 in men OR

    19. Diabetic macular edema on clinical exam that the investigator believes currently requires treatment.

    20. History of intravitreous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment within 2 months prior to current vitreous hemorrhage onset or after onset.

    21. History of intraocular corticosteroid treatment within 4 months prior to current vitreous hemorrhage onset or after onset.

    22. History of major ocular surgery (including cataract extraction, scleral buckle, any intraocular surgery, etc.) within prior 4 months or major ocular surgery other than vitrectomy anticipated within the next 6 months following randomization.

    23. History of vitrectomy.

    24. History of YAG capsulotomy performed within 2 months prior to randomization.

    25. Aphakia.

    26. Uncontrolled glaucoma (in investigator's judgment).

    27. Exam evidence of severe external ocular infection, including conjunctivitis, chalazion, or substantial blepharitis.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Prompt vitrectomy plus panretinal photocoagulationPrompt Vitrectomy Plus Panretinal PhotocoagulationFor the prompt vitrectomy + panretinal photocoagulation group, the vitrectomy must be scheduled to be performed within 2 weeks of randomization. Vitrectomy will be performed according to the investigator's usual routine, including pre-operative care, surgical procedure, and post-operative care, although anti-VEGF may not be given post-operatively unless there is recurrent hemorrhage.
Intravitreous 2 mg aflibercept injections2-mg Intravitreous Aflibercept InjectionInitial injection must be given on the day of randomization. Follow-up injections will be performed as often as every 4 weeks unless criteria for deferral are met.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
E-ETDRS Visual Acuity Letter Score (Area Under the Curve From Baseline)24 weeks

The area under the curve (units = letters·weeks) was divided by 24 weeks (units = weeks) to obtain an average change in letter score (units = letters) over the 24-weekr follow-up.

Best-corrected visual acuity following protocol-defined refraction. Visual Acuity was measured with the Electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (E-ETDRS) visual acuity test on a scale from 100 letters (Snellen equivalent of 20/10) to 0 letters (Snellen equivalent of \<20/800). Higher scores indicate better visual acuity and lower scores indicate worse visual acuity.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
E-ETDRS Visual Acuity Letter Score2 Years

Best-corrected visual acuity following protocol-defined refraction. Visual Acuity was measured with the Electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (E-ETDRS) visual acuity test on a scale from 100 letters (Snellen equivalent of 20/10) to 0 letters (Snellen equivalent \<20/800). Higher scores indicate better visual acuity and lower scores indicate worse visual acuity.

E-ETDRS Visual Acuity Letter Score (Area Under the Curve From Baseline)2-Years

Best-corrected visual acuity following protocol-defined refraction. Visual Acuity was measured with the Electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (E-ETDRS) visual acuity test on a scale from 100 letters (Snellen equivalent of 20/10) to 0 letters (Snellen equivalent \<20/800). Higher scores indicate better visual acuity and lower scores indicate worse visual acuity. The area under the curve (units = letters·years) was divided by 2 years (units = years) to obtain an average change in letter score (units = letters) over the 2-year follow-up.

Best-corrected visual acuity following protocol-defined refraction. Visual Acuity was measured with the Electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (E-ETDRS) visual acuity test on a scale from 100 letters (Snellen equivalent of 20/10) to 0 letters (Snellen equivalent of \<20/800). Higher scores indicate better visual acuity and lower scores indicate worse visual acuity.

Snellen Equivalent Range (Visual Acuity Score)2 years

Best-corrected visual acuity following protocol-defined refraction. Visual Acuity was measured with the Electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (E-ETDRS) visual acuity test on a scale from 100 letters (Snellen equivalent of 20/10) to 0 letters (Snellen equivalent \<20/800). Higher scores indicate better visual acuity and lower scores indicate worse visual acuity..

Recurrent Vitreous HemorrhageAt any time through 2 years

Assessed by the investigator and defined as presence of vitreous hemorrhage after a period of absence. Excludes eyes in which vitreous hemorrhage could not be assessed during follow-up.

Retinal Neovascularization on Clinical Exam2 years

Defined as neovascularization of the disc or elsewhere. Excludes eyes in which retinal neovascularization could not be determined

Trial Locations

Locations (62)

University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Elman Retina Group, P.A.

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Joslin Diabetes Center

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Retina Associates, P.A.

🇺🇸

Shawnee Mission, Kansas, United States

Gailey Eye Clinic

🇺🇸

Bloomington, Illinois, United States

Emory Eye Center

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Thomas Eye Group

🇺🇸

Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States

The Retina Institute

🇺🇸

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

Southeast Eye Institute, P.A. dba Eye Associates of Pinellas

🇺🇸

Pinellas Park, Florida, United States

Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Raj K. Maturi, MD, PC

🇺🇸

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Valley Eye Physicians and Surgeons

🇺🇸

Ayer, Massachusetts, United States

Retina Associates of Sarasota

🇺🇸

Sarasota, Florida, United States

Marietta Eye Clinic

🇺🇸

Marietta, Georgia, United States

Paducah Retinal Center

🇺🇸

Paducah, Kentucky, United States

Retinal Diagnostic Center

🇺🇸

Campbell, California, United States

Florida Retina Consultants

🇺🇸

Lakeland, Florida, United States

Eye Associates of Northeast Louisiana dba Haik Humble Eye Center

🇺🇸

West Monroe, Louisiana, United States

Retina-Vitreous Surgeons of Central New York, PC

🇺🇸

Syracuse, New York, United States

Texas Retina Associates

🇺🇸

Lubbock, Texas, United States

Henry Ford Health System, Dept of Ophthalmology and Eye Care Services

🇺🇸

Detroit, Michigan, United States

Retina Center, PA

🇺🇸

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Dean A. McGee Eye Institute

🇺🇸

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

Medical Center Ophthalmology Associates

🇺🇸

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Retinal Consultants of San Antonio

🇺🇸

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Mayo Clinic Department of Ophthalmology

🇺🇸

Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Casey Eye Institute

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

Retina Northwest, PC

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

UBC/VCHA Eye Care Centre

🇨🇦

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

🇺🇸

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Valley Retina Institute

🇺🇸

McAllen, Texas, United States

Weill Cornell Medical College

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Retina Associates of Florida, P.A.

🇺🇸

Tampa, Florida, United States

Medical College of Wisconsin

🇺🇸

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary/Faculty Eye Practice

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Loma Linda University Health Care, Department of Ophthalmology

🇺🇸

Loma Linda, California, United States

Shashi D Ganti, MD PC

🇺🇸

Porterville, California, United States

Atlantis Eye Care

🇺🇸

Huntington Beach, California, United States

Macula & Retina Institute

🇺🇸

Glendale, California, United States

Southeast Retina Center, P.C.

🇺🇸

Augusta, Georgia, United States

Carle Foundation Hospital

🇺🇸

Urbana, Illinois, United States

John-Kenyon American Eye Institute

🇺🇸

New Albany, Indiana, United States

Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Retina Specialists of Michigan

🇺🇸

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

MaculaCare

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Assoc., PA

🇺🇸

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Oregon Retina, LLP

🇺🇸

Eugene, Oregon, United States

Retina Vitreous Consultants

🇺🇸

Monroeville, Pennsylvania, United States

Palmetto Retina Center

🇺🇸

West Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Southeastern Retina Associates, P.C.

🇺🇸

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Southeastern Retina Associates

🇺🇸

Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

Baylor Eye Physicians and Surgeons

🇺🇸

Houston, Texas, United States

Retina and Vitreous of Texas

🇺🇸

Houston, Texas, United States

Spokane Eye Clinic

🇺🇸

Spokane, Washington, United States

Retina Associates of Cleveland, Inc.

🇺🇸

Beachwood, Ohio, United States

University Health Network - Toronto Western Hospital

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Retina Vitreous Center

🇺🇸

Edmond, Oklahoma, United States

Southwest Retina Specialists

🇺🇸

Amarillo, Texas, United States

Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan

🇺🇸

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Mid-America Retina Consultants, P.A.

🇺🇸

Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Kittner Eye Center

🇺🇸

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Retina Research Center

🇺🇸

Austin, Texas, United States

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