Topical Dorzolamide-Timolol With Intravitreous Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The effect of combination therapy with intravitreal bevacizumab and topical timolol-dorzolamide eye drops on diabetic macular edema: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The mainstay of treatment in diabetic macular edema (DME) is intravitreal administration of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGFs). Aqueous depressants may enhance the effects of anti-VEGF agents by prolonging their clearance via aqueous outflow.

PURPOSE

To compare the anatomical and functional outcomes of treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) and topical timolol-dorzolamide versus IVB alone.

METHOD

In this randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial, patients with center-involving DME (ci-DME) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/30 or less were enrolled and randomly allocated to two treatment arms. One group received three monthly IVB injections and timolol-dorzolamide eye drops twice a day (IVB + TD group); the other group received three monthly IVB injections and artificial tear drops as placebo (IVB group). Patients underwent ophthalmic evaluations and macular optical coherence tomography scans at baseline and 1 month after the third injection.

RESULT

Forty-six eyes from 46 patients with ci-DME were recruited. There was no intergroup difference regarding age, gender distribution, diabetic retinopathy stage, glycemic indices, BCVA, central macular thickness (CMT), or intraocular pressure at baseline. BCVA was significantly improved in the IVB + TD group (0.46 ± 0.18 to 0.36 ± 0.18 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR], p = 0.002), in contrast to IVB group (0.40 ± 0.17 to 0.35 ± 0.22 logMAR, p = 0.113). Similarly, the IVB + TD group showed a significant reduction in CMT (p < 0.001), unlike the IVB group (p = 0.086); and the CMT change in the former was greater than in the latter (- 0.57 ± 57.67 vs. - 25.52 ± 68.02 μm, p = 0.033).

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the short-term effectiveness of topical timolol-dorzolamide as adjunctive therapy to IVB injections in managing center-involving DME in terms of anatomical and visual outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05083689 (October 19, 2021).

Topical Dorzolamide as Adjunctive Treatment With Intravitreal Bevacizumab in Bilateral Diabetic Macular Edema

BACKGROUND

 Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents is accepted as the gold standard treatment for center-involving diabetic macular edema (CI-DME). Adjunctive administration of topical dorzolamide may enhance the therapeutic effects of anti-VEGF agents. In this study, we compared the efficacy of topical dorzolamide plus intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) versus IVB alone in patients with bilateral DME.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized contralateral eye study was carried out in a tertiary referral ophthalmology center, Al-Zahra Eye Hospital, Zahedan, Iran, between April 2021 and April 2022. This study included 50 eyes of 25 patients with bilateral DME. All eyes received three consecutive monthly injections of IVB. For each patient, one eye was randomized to instill dorzolamide eye drops three times a day as an intervention, and the other received artificial tear drops as a placebo. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were evaluated before starting treatment and then monthly for the first three months.

RESULTS

Among 25 included patients, the average age was 56.64 ± 7.97 years, and 48% were female. BCVA did not improve significantly in any groups (P > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in terms of BCVA between the intervention and control groups (P > 0.05). The present study showed a decrease in CMT in both study groups (P < 0.05). At month 3, the decrease in mean CMT from baseline was significantly higher in eyes receiving topical dorzolamide compared to the control group (-88.92 ± 82.90 vs. -37.64 ± 86.16 µM, respectively; P = 0.037). IOP decreased significantly only in eyes receiving dorzolamide (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study indicate that adjunctive administration of topical dorzolamide has a beneficial effect on CMT reduction from baseline, but it did not have an additive effect on BCVA improvement compared to IVB monotherapy.

SUSTAINED BIWEEKLY AFLIBERCEPT FOR REFRACTORY NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: The Prospective TRISTAR Study

PURPOSE

To assess the safety and efficacy of biweekly (every 2 weeks) intravitreal aflibercept injections (IAI) 2 mg in eyes with refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD).

METHODS

A prospective, single-arm, interventional study was conducted. Eyes with refractory NVAMD received six biweekly IAIs through week 12, followed by a 4-week treatment pause until week 16. Eyes with residual subretinal fluid (SRF) at week 16 were randomized 1:1 to either four additional biweekly IAIs or to 4-week (q4W) IAI dosing through week 24. All eyes were subsequently treated q4W through week 52.

RESULTS

Enrolled eyes (n = 22) had persistent SRF despite a mean of 11.8 injections over the prior 12 months. One patient developed endophthalmitis at week 12. There were no additional drug/procedure-related adverse events. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved significantly from baseline to week 14 (2.52 letters, P < 0.001). The mean central subfield thickness (CST) was also significantly improved at week 14 (-31.9 µ m, P < 0.001) with eight of 22 eyes achieving complete SRF resolution. Only two of eight eyes remained free of SRF at week 16, with a corresponding increase in mean CST of 26.7 µ m compared with week 14. By week 52, improvements in BCVA and CST were lost.

CONCLUSION

In patients with refractory NVAMD-related SRF, sustained biweekly IAIs resulted in significant functional and anatomical improvements during biweekly dosing. These gains, however, were lost on return to monthly dosing. These findings suggest that efforts to reduce refractory SRF in NVAMD with biweekly dosing may provide added benefit compared with standard of care treatment if biweekly dosing is sustained.

Intravitreal bevacizumab plus propranolol for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (the BEVALOL study): a phase I clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Given the persistently large public health impact of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nARMD) despite many years of anti-VEGF therapy as the first-line treatment and the demonstrated ability of b-blockers to reduce neovascularization, a synergistic effect between an anti-VEGF agent and an intravitreal beta-blocker is important to investigate in the quest for therapeutic alternatives that maximize efficacy and/or reduce costs. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the safety of a 0.1 ml intravitreal injection of a combination of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) and propranolol (50 g/0.05 ml) to treat nARMD.

METHODS

Prospective phase I clinical trial that included patients with nARMD. Comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation was performed at baseline and included Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), biomicroscopy of the anterior and posterior segments, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, color fundus photography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography (OCT-A), fluorescein angiography (Spectralis, Heidelberg), and full-field electroretinography (ERG). All eyes were treated with a 0.1 ml intravitreal injection of a combination of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) and propranolol (50 g/0.05 ml) within 1 week of baseline evaluation. The patients were reexamined at weeks 4, 8 and 12, and clinical evaluation and SD-OCT were performed at all follow-up visits. Additional injections of combination bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) and propranolol (50 g/0.05 ml) were administered at weeks 4 and 8. At the final study evaluation (week 12), color fundus photography, OCT-A, fluorescein angiography, and full-field ERG were repeated.

RESULTS

Eleven patients (11 eyes) completed all study visits of the 12 week study. Full field ERG b-waves did not show significant (p < 0.05) changes at week 12 compared to baseline. During the 12 week follow-up period, none of the study eyes developed intraocular inflammation, endophthalmitis or intraocular pressure elevation more than 4 mmHg over baseline. Mean ± SE BCVA (logMAR) was 0.79 ± 0.09 at baseline and was significantly (p < 0.05) improved to 0.61 ± 0.10 at week 4; 0.53 ± 0.10 at week 8; and 0.51 ± 0.09 at week 12. Mean ± SE central subfield thickness (CST) (μm) was 462 ± 45 at baseline and was significantly (p < 0.05) lower at 4, 8 and 12 weeks (385 ± 37; 356 ± 29 and 341 ± 24, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In this 12 week trial of a combination of intravitreal bevacizumab and propranolol for treatment of nARMD, no adverse events or signals of ocular toxicity were observed. Further studies using this combination therapy are warranted. Trial Registration Project registered in Plataforma Brasil with CAAE number 28108920.0.0000.5440 and approved in ethics committee of Clinics Hospital of Ribeirao Preto Medicine School of São Paulo University-Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil (appreciation number 3.999.989 gave the approval).

Impact of Delayed Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Therapy Due to the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic on the Prognosis of Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

This study estimated the outcome of delayed intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease pandemic on the prognosis of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This study retrospectively enrolled 57 nAMD patients whose intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were delayed for >2 weeks between February and June 2020. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), and anatomical characteristics were evaluated before (baseline), on the day, and at 2, 4, and 6 months after the delayed injection, and risk factors were identified. The average injection interval before and after treatment delay was 3.05 ± 1.45 and 2.41 ± 1.46 months, respectively (p = 0.002). The CST at baseline and on the day of delayed injection was 227.82 ± 62.46 and 267.26 ± 77.74 µm, respectively (p < 0.001). The average BCVA decreased from 0.29 ± 0.29 logMAR (baseline) to 0.38 ± 0.31 logMAR (6 months) (p = 0.001). The maximum subretinal fluid (SRF) height increased from 84.32 ± 89.33 µm (baseline) to 121.38 ± 103.36 µm (6 months) (p = 0.027). A higher baseline maximum SRF height was associated with less SRF height deterioration 6 months later (p < 0.001). Delayed intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened BCVA and residual SRF in nAMD patients after a temporary recovery. The baseline SRF reduce the degree of SRF height deterioration.

TOPICAL DORZOLAMIDE-TIMOLOL WITH INTRAVITREOUS ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR FOR RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION: A PILOT STUDY

PURPOSE

To evaluate topical dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate as an adjunct therapy to intravitreous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections in eyes with retinal vein occlusion resistant to treatment.

METHODS

Retinal vein occlusion patients with a history of persistent macular edema, despite fixed-interval intravitreous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections, were enrolled between April 4, 2016, and June 4, 2017. On enrollment, patients were instructed to administer one drop of topical dorzolamide-timolol twice daily for the duration of the study. They were maintained on the same anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drug and same interval between injections as preenrollment for the subsequent two visits. Primary outcome measures were change in central foveal thickness, central subfield thickness, and thickest macular cut at the final study visit.

RESULTS

Eight patients (8 eyes) were eligible for enrollment and completed the study. There was a significant decrease in central foveal thickness (P = 0.02), central subfield thickness (P = 0.03), and thickest macular cut (P = 0.01) between the enrollment visit and the final visit. There was a decrease in mean (±SD) logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution from 0.52 (±0.35) (20/66, Snellen equivalent) at the enrollment visit to 0.41 (±0.35) (20/51, Snellen equivalent) at the final visit (P = 0.08).

CONCLUSION

Topical dorzolamide-timolol may have a beneficial anatomical and functional effect in eyes with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion resistant to treatment.

Effect of Adjuvant Topical Dorzolamide-Timolol vs Placebo in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Some eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have persistent exudation despite frequent intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. Adjuvant therapies that further reduce edema may improve vision outcomes.

Objective

To compare the short-term effect of topical dorzolamide-timolol vs placebo in eyes with neovascular AMD that have persistent exudation following intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial with enrollment from March 1, 2017, through October 30, 2018. Multicenter trial at 4 clinical sites in the United States. Sixty-three patients with neovascular AMD who had persistent exudation despite intravitreal anti-VEGF injections at 4-week, 5-week, or 6-week intervals.

Interventions

Patients were randomized to use dorzolamide-timolol or artificial tears for the study duration. They continued to receive the same anti-VEGF drug at the same interval as the 2 visits before enrollment for 3 additional study visits.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome measure was change in mean central subfield thickness on optical coherence tomography from baseline to visit 3 (approximately 3 months). Secondary measures included change in mean maximum subretinal fluid height, mean maximum pigment epithelial detachment height, and mean visual acuity (VA).

Results

This trial included 52 patients. All 27 patients (100%) assigned to dorzolamide-timolol and 23 of 25 (92%) assigned to placebo were analyzed for the primary outcome. Mean (SD) age was 78.4 (7) years, and 34 of 50 patients (68%) were women. Mean (SD) injections were 20.5 (14) (range, 4-58) before enrollment. Mean (SD) baseline logMAR VA was 0.361 (0.26) (approximate Snellen equivalent, 20/50). Comparing the dorzolamide-timolol with placebo group from baseline to visit 3, mean (SD) change in central subfield thickness (primary outcome) was -36.6 (54) μm vs 1.7 (52.3) μm (difference, 30.8; 95% CI, 0.3-61.3; P = .04); secondary outcomes: maximum PED height was -39.1 (65) μm vs 1.1 (16) μm (difference, 39.6; 95% CI, 9.6-69.6; P = .01) and change in VA from baseline to visit 3 was -2.3 (5) vs 0.3 (1) letters (difference, 2.6 letters; 95% CI, -1.9 to 7.1 letters; P = .78).

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest use of dorzolamide-timolol in patients with neovascular AMD with persistent exudation resulted in anatomic but not visual acuity improvements compared with placebo at approximately 3 months. Additional clinical trials with longer follow-up and larger sample sizes presumably would be needed to determine the role, if any, of dorzolamide-timolol in neovascular AMD.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03034772.

Association of Ocular Antihypertensive Medications and the Development and Progression of Age-related Macular Degeneration in a U.S. Insurance Claims Database

Purpose/Aim: To assess whether ocular antihypertensives are associated with the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Materials and Methods: This retrospective, observational cohort study using healthcare claims data from a U.S. nationwide managed-care network between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2016, included enrollees ≥40 years old with primary open-angle glaucoma with or without a diagnosis of nonexudative AMD at the index date. Hazard ratios (HR) for developing AMD or progressing from nonexudative to exudative AMD with exposure to ocular antihypertensive medications were analyzed.Results: Of 132 963 eligible enrollees, 118 174 (87.5%) had no diagnosis of AMD at baseline while 14 789 (12.5%) had adiagnosis of nonexudative AMD. Prostaglandin analog exposure had adecreased hazard of developing AMD among individuals without baseline disease (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87-0.94; p< .0001), while topical alpha₂-agonist exposure demonstrated an increased hazard of AMD development (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03-1.14; p= .004). Among patients with baseline nonexudative AMD, topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor exposure was associated with adecreased hazard of progressing to exudative disease (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71-0.99; p= .04) while topical alpha₂-agonists had increased hazard (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-1.36; p= .04).Conclusions: Certain ocular antihypertensive medications may be associated with development or progression of AMD. Their role in AMD pathogenesis should be better understood as they are considered for therapeutics in this disease.

EFFICACY OF ADJUVANT TOPICAL DORZOLAMIDE-TIMOLOL IN PATIENTS WITH NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION REFRACTORY TO ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR THERAPY

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant topical dorzolamide-timolol in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration unresponsive to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

METHODS

This retrospective, interventional study included 15 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration refractory to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. Patients used topical dorzolamide-timolol twice daily in the neovascular age-related macular degeneration eye and received anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy at each visit, with the same fixed interval and agent as before the addition of dorzolamide-timolol. Central macular thickness, maximal subretinal fluid height, and maximal pigment epithelial detachment height were measured at baseline and every visit.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 17.2 ± 5.5 weeks. The mean central macular thickness decreased from 383.5 μm at baseline to 298.3 μm at the final visit (P = 0.041). The mean maximal subretinal fluid height decreased from 105.0 μm at baseline to 58.3 μm at the final visit (P = 0.021). Complete resolution of subretinal fluid was observed in 3 of 11 subretinal fluid-type eyes. There was no significant change in the maximal pigment epithelial detachment height. The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity decreased from 0.61 (20/81 Snellen) at baseline to 0.66 (20/91 Snellen) at final visit, which was not significant (P = 0.314). The mean intraocular pressure decreased significantly from 14.9 mmHg at baseline to 12.3 mmHg at the final visit (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

The use of adjuvant topical dorzolamide-timolol was effective in decreasing central macular thickness and subretinal fluid in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration refractory to continual fixed-interval intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, but did not result in functional improvement in this short-term study.

Ranibizumab plus fufang xueshuantong capsule versus ranibizumab alone for exudative age-related macular degeneration

Objective

To compare the efficacy of ranibizumab plus fufang xueshuantong capsule (cFXST) with the efficacy of ranibizumab alone in treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Methods

This prospective, randomized, controlled, pilot study included 38 eyes from 38 patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that were randomly allocated into two cohorts of 19 eyes each: ranibizumab (C_r) and ranibizumab plus cFXST (C_fr). All patients received three monthly injections of ranibizumab. Patients in C_fr also received daily oral supplementation of cFXST. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and thickness of the choroidal neovascularization-pigment epithelial detachment (CNV-PED) complex (measured by optical coherence tomography) were recorded at baseline and at 1 and 3 months after the first intravitreal injection of ranibizumab.

Results

In the C_fr, the CNV-PED complex thickness was reduced by 31.7% and 36.1% at 1 and 3 months, respectively; these reductions were significantly greater than the 19.7% and 24.2% reductions in the C_r. BCVA improvement was significantly greater in the C_fr than in the C_r after 3 months; the proportion of patients with functional response was also greater in the C_fr than in the C_r (16/16 vs. 8/17).

Conclusion

Oral cFXST increases the efficacy of short-term ranibizumab treatment for exudative AMD.

Treatment Course of Patients with Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Ocular Hypotensives

Purpose

To characterize the visual outcomes and the treatment course of patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) based on ocular hypotensive use.

Design

A matched retrospective cohort study of patients enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Southern California health plan was conducted. Patients taking ocular hypotensives were identified using pharmacy dispensing data and were matched to controls to compare visual acuity, number of anti-VEGF injections, and conversation to secondary anti-VEGF agents in the first year of treatment. Subgroup analysis was performed based on the number of ocular hypotensive agents (0, 1, 2 or 3+ agents) and drug class (aqueous suppressants and prostaglandin analogs).

Results

A total of 234 patients patients were examined. Baseline and final visual acuity did not significantly differ between drop users and controls, including on subgroup analysis. The average number of anti-VEGF injections did not differ between drop users and controls (6.1 vs 6.2, p=0.97), nor did the percentage of patients who were switched to a second-line anti-VEGF agent (23.9% vs 17.9%, p=0.26). Subgroup analysis did not reveal significant differences in the number of anti-VEGF injections and the percentage of patients switched to secondary agents, with patients receiving 6 ±1 injections across regardless of the number or class of ocular hypotensive agents used.

Conclusion

Patients with concurrent glaucoma and exudative AMD have similar visual outcomes and treatment courses compared to those not taking ocular hypotensives. Although aqueous suppressants have been suggested to prolong anti-VEGF residence time, patients using these agents did not demonstrate visual benefit or a reduced injection burden in this series.

Monocyte-Derived Macrophages Are Necessary for Beta-Adrenergic Receptor-Driven Choroidal Neovascularization Inhibition

Purpose

Beta-adrenergic receptor (AR) antagonists, like propranolol, inhibit angiogenesis in multiple ocular conditions through an unknown mechanism. We previously showed that propranolol reduces choroidal neovascularization (CNV) by decreasing interleukin-6 levels. Since macrophages are one of the central producers of interleukin-6, we examined whether macrophages are required for propranolol-driven inhibition of choroidal angiogenesis.

Methods

We tested the anti-angiogenic properties of propranolol in the choroidal sprouting assay and the laser-induced CNV model. Bone marrow-derived monocytes (BMDMs) were added to the choroidal sprouting assay and Ccr2-/- mice were subjected to laser-induced CNV. Multi-parameter flow cytometry was performed to characterize the ocular mononuclear phagocyte populations after laser injury and during propranolol treatment.

Results

Propranolol reduced choroidal angiogenesis by 41% (P < 0.001) in the choroidal sprouting assay. Similarly, propranolol decreased laser-induced CNV by 50% (P < 0.05) in female mice, with no change in males. BMDMs increased choroidal sprouting by 146% (P < 0.0001), and this effect was ablated by propranolol. Beta-AR inhibition had no effect upon laser-induced CNV area in female Ccr2-/- mice. MHCII+ and MHCII- macrophages increased 20-fold following laser treatment in wildtype mice as compared to untreated mice, and this effect was completely attenuated in lasered Ccr2-/- mice. Moreover, propranolol increased the numbers of MHCII+ and MHCII- macrophages by 1.9 (P = 0.07) and 3.1 (P < 0.05) fold in lasered female mice with no change in macrophage numbers in males.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that propranolol inhibits angiogenesis through recruitment of monocyte-derived macrophages in female mice only. These data show the anti-angiogenic nature of beta-AR blocker-recruited monocyte-derived macrophages in CNV.

Resolution of optic disc pit-associated macular retinoschisis after topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor treatment: Report of a case

BACKGROUND

Optic disc pits frequently lead to visual deterioration due to macular retinoschisis or serous retinal detachment. Here, we report a case of optic disc pit-associated macular retinoschisis due to intraretinal fluid accumulation that resolved with improvement in visual acuity after treatment with topical dorzolamide.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 56-year-old otherwise healthy female with no ocular history presented with 2 weeks of slowly worsening blurry vision in her right eye. Visual acuity was 20/30 in the right eye. Posterior segment examination revealed posterior vitreous detachment, an optic disc pit at 9 o'clock, macular edema and foveoschisis with fluid extending from the optic nerve, and a normal peripheral retina. Optical coherence tomography imaging of the macula showed central subfield thickness of 526 µm. The patient preferred no surgical intervention, so topical dorzolamide 2% three times daily was initiated. Over the next 2 years, the central subfield thickness steadily declined from 526 to 262 µm, and her vision improved to 20/20 with improvement in the macular retinoschisis.

CONCLUSION

Our report presents a case of resolution of optic disc pit-associated macular retinoschisis due to intraretinal fluid accumulation with possible role for dorzolamide as a potential treatment option.

Combination of Intravitreal Bevacizumab and Topical Dorzolamide versus Intravitreal Bevacizumab Alone for Diabetic Macular Edema: A Randomized Contralateral Clinical Trial

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of three intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections versus the same combined with 2% of topical dorzolamide in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods

In this randomized double-masked clinical trial, 32 eyes of 16 treatment-naive patients with bilateral DME were enrolled. The eyes were randomly assigned to receive three monthly injections of IVB (1.25 mg) plus topical dorzolamide 2% twice daily or IVB (1.25 mg) plus topical artificial tear twice daily. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was the primary outcome of the study followed by the central macular thickness (CMT) and central macular volume (CMV) as the secondary outcomes.

Results

Mean BCVA changes were insignificant in both groups. It changed from 0.21 ± 0.08 logMAR at baseline to 0.23 ± 0.09 (P=0.24) in the combination group and from 0.18 ± 0.09 logMAR to 0.21 ± 0.09 (P=0.11) in the IVB alone group, at 3 months, respectively. Changes in mean CMT and CMV were significant in both groups. However, the difference between the groups was not significant at all the visits. In the study, no major ocular complication or systemic side effects were noted regarding IVB or topical dorzolamide.

Conclusion

This randomized contralateral clinical trial demonstrated that adjuvant topical dorzolamide with IVB injection had no additional effects on IVB in the treatment of DME over a three-month course. This trial is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials under the registration code IRCT20131229015975N5.

Challenges and opportunities for drug delivery to the posterior of the eye

Drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye remains challenging even though the eye is readily accessible. Its unique and complex anatomy and physiology contribute to the limited options for drug delivery via non-invasive topical treatment, which is the prevalent ophthalmic treatment. To treat the most common retinal diseases, intravitreal (IVT) injection has been a common and effective therapy. With the advancement of nanotechnologies, novel formulations and drug delivery systems are being developed to treat posterior segment diseases. Here, we discuss the recent advancement in ocular delivery systems, including-sustained release formulations, IVT implants, and preclinical topical formulations, and the challenges faced in their clinical translation.

Efficacy of adjuvant topical timolol-dorzolamide with intravitreal bevacizumab injection in diabetic macular edema: A contralateral eye study

Purpose

To assess the efficacy of adjuvant topical timolol-dorzolamide with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection on anatomic and functional results in eyes affected with diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods

In an interventional prospective contralateral pilot eye study at a third level referral academic facility, patients with bilateral DME who were treatment-naive were enrolled. Enrolled patients received a treatment plan of topical timolol-dorzolamide twice daily in the right eye. Three monthly bilateral IVB injections 1.25 mg/0.05 mL were also planned. Baseline central macular thickness (CMT) was measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and clinical information such as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were collected at enrollment and one month after the third injection.

Results

Eleven patients (seven females) with DME were included. BCVA and CMT improved in both eyes and IOP decreased in the right eye but did not change in the left eye. In repeated measures ANOVA analysis, the decrease in CMT and improvement in BCVA were significant in the right eye.

Conclusion

Our study suggested that adjuvant topical timolol-dorzolamide in combination with IVB may further reduce central macular thickness in eyes with DME.

EFFECT OF INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE-LOWERING MEDICATIONS ON NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATMENT OUTCOMES IN THE COMPARISON OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATMENT TRIALS

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of intraocular pressure-lowering medications on treatment outcomes in the Comparison of AMD Treatments Trials.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of Comparison of AMD Treatments Trials data. Medication logs were reviewed for continuous 2-year use of agents that increased aqueous outflow (Group A: topical prostaglandins) or suppressed aqueous production (Group B: topical beta blockers and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors). Eyes were excluded if mixed-mechanism intraocular pressure-lowering agents or medications from more than one group were taken. Anatomical and vision responses to treatment at years 1, 2, and over the entire 2-year period in each group were compared with controls (no intraocular pressure-lowering medications).

RESULTS

Inclusion criteria were met by 28 Group A patients, 19 Group B patients, and 857 controls. After 2 years, the control group had a mean visual acuity improvement of +6.3 letters from baseline, compared with +3.5 letters in Group A (P = 0.38), and +13.8 letters in Group B (P = 0.052). Mean retinal thickness change from baseline was -54.9 μm in controls, -80.6 μm in Group A (P = 0.26), and -96.8 μm in Group B (P = 0.13). Mean total thickness change from baseline was -163 μm in controls, -180 μm in Group A (P = 0.63), and -238 μm in Group B (P = 0.08). In longitudinal analysis with adjustment by their baseline values, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment drug and regimen, Group B had more visual acuity improvement (difference of 2.6 letters, 95% confidence interval: -3.4-8.5 letters), more reduction in the retinal thickness (-17.9 μm, 95% confidence interval: -36.5 to 0.7 μm), and total thickness from baseline (mean difference of -54.7 μm, 95% confidence interval: -103 to 6.2 μm) compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Concurrent aqueous suppressant use during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration was associated with a trend toward greater reductions in retinal and total thickness as well as improved visual outcomes over 2 years. A similar effect was not observed to the same extent with agents that increase aqueous outflow. Because of the small sample size and secondary analysis, these findings must be cautiously interpreted and perhaps serve as a basis for future prospective studies.

β2-Adrenergic Receptor Antagonism Attenuates CNV Through Inhibition of VEGF and IL-6 Expression

Purpose

The role of β–adrenergic receptor (AR) signaling in neovascular ocular diseases has recently emerged. We have previously reported that intraperitoneal propranolol inhibits choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in vivo and β2-AR blockade reduces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in mouse retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal endothelial cells in culture. Here we tested the hypothesis that the β2-AR regulates CNV through modulation of VEGF and inflammatory cytokine expression.

Methods

Mice were subjected to laser burns, inducing CNV, and were treated with an intravitreal β2-AR antagonist. After 3 and 5 days, total eye interleukin-6 (IL-6) and VEGF protein levels were measured, respectively. After 14 days, CNV was measured on choroidal–scleral flatmounts. The effects of β-AR signaling on VEGF and IL-6 expression were investigated in various mouse retinal and human RPE cells by using specific β-AR agonists and antagonists.

Results

β2–Adrenergic receptor signaling increased Vegf mRNA expression by approximately 3- to 4-fold in mouse retinal microglia and pericytes in culture. β2–Adrenergic receptor signaling upregulated IL-6 mRNA expression between 10- and 60-fold in mouse retinal microglia, pericytes, RPE, and choroidal endothelial cells in culture. Intravitreal injection of β2-AR antagonist ICI 118,551 reduced CNV by 35% and decreased IL-6 protein levels by approximately 50%. In primary human RPE cells, β2-AR activation also stimulated VEGF and IL-6 mRNA expression by 2- and 10-fold, respectively.

Conclusions

Anti-VEGF therapy for CNV is highly effective; however, some patients are resistant to therapy while others undergo repeated, frequent treatments. β2–Adrenergic receptor signaling is a potential therapeutic target because of its angiogenic and inflammatory properties.

Association between macular degeneration and mild to moderate chronic kidney disease: A nationwide population-based study

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and macular degeneration (MD) are 2 grave diseases leading to significant disability secondary to renal failure and blindness. The 2 diseases share not only common risk factors but also similar pathogenic mechanisms to renal and retinal injuries. Previous epidemiological studies indicated association between these 2 diseases. However, this concept is challenged by recent investigations. Patients with mild to moderate CKD (n = 30,696) between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2005 were selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database. Controls (n = 122,784) were matched by age, gender, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension status (1:4 ratios). The risk of MD was compared between the 2 groups. The mean age of patients was 54.9 ± 15.7 years. The proportion of MD was 2.7% in mild to moderate CKD patients and 1.9% in normal controls (P < 0.001); and, 0.39% and 0.26% (P < 0.001) in advanced MD. Mild to moderate CKD patients had higher risk for MD [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.301; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.200-1.411; P < 0.001] than normal renal function subjects. The association was more pronounced for advanced MD. From all age strata (10 years increase), the presence of CKD in those patients aged less than 40 years had highest OR for all MD (OR = 2.125, 95% CI: 1.417-3.186, P < 0.001). The results were consistent in interaction terms, highlighting the importance of CKD in young age patient for risk of MD. The high risk for MD in mild to moderate CKD patients remains significant after adjustment for personal habits (alcohol drinking and smoking, model 1; OR: 1.371; 95% CI: 1.265-1.486; P < 0.001), comorbidities (dyslipidemia, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease, model 2; OR: 1.369; 95% CI: 1.264-1.484; P < 0.001) and all these factors (model 3; OR: 1.320, 95% CI: 1.218-1.431, P < 0.001). This association was consistent in the subanalysis, excluding those patients with diabetic retinopathy. Proper diagnosis and timely intervention should be warranted to retard visual loss of these patients.

SYSTEMIC BETA-BLOCKERS IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether oral beta-blockers (BBs) are associated with a decreased number of intravitreal injections in patients with incident neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of subjects with a new diagnosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration was conducted using a medical claims database from a large national US insurer. Two cohorts were created for comparison consisting of patients with regular use of BBs or calcium channel blockers. The main outcome measured was the difference in the mean number of intravitreal injections administered between the two cohorts.

RESULTS

After inclusion and exclusion criteria, 239 BB and 155 calcium channel blocker subjects remained for analysis. Univariate analysis revealed that the mean number of injections in the BB cohort was 6.43 (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.90-6.95) versus 6.55 (95% CI 5.85-7.25) in the calcium channel blocker cohort (P = 0.78). After multivariate adjustment, the mean number of injections in the BB group was 6.32 (95% CI 5.77-6.87) versus 6.71 (95% CI 6.02-7.40) in the calcium channel blocker group. The overall difference between the 2 groups was -0.39 (95% CI difference -1.29 to 0.51; P = 0.40).

CONCLUSION

The use of oral BBs is not associated with a decreased number of intravitreal injections in incident neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients.