A Study Comparing Two Protocols Of Treatment With Ranibizumab For Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare two treatment options' efficacy and safety for the patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration(AMD)in China : ranibizumab 0.5mg administered as needed(1+ PRN)vs.ranibizumab 0.5mg administered once a month for 3 months and thereafter as needed(3+PRN).Methods: 24 eyes of 24 patients with neovascular AMD were enrolled in this study.They were randomly divided into 1+ PRN group or 3+PRN group with the ratio of 1:1.After the ophthalmology examination,Patients complete treatment and follow-up visit scheme according to their group.BCVA,foveal thickness and choroidal thickness were evaluated before and after every treatments,the data were analyzed with SPSS 19 software using independent samples t test,chi square test and paired t test for statistical analysis.Results: After 6 months,mean best corrected visual acuity increased by 8.67 letters(P=0.002)in the 3+PRN group and improved by 6.58 letters(P=0.029)in 1+PRN group;Mean foveal thickness decreased by 150?m(P=0.006)in the 3+PRN group and 218?m(P=0.012)in the 1+PRN group.No complications were noted after treatment besides one patient occurred retinal pigment epithelium tear in each group.Conclusion: Patients with CNV secondary to AMD treated with a 3+PRN protocol or a 1+PRN protocol had similar results in 6 months treatment period.