Improvements in Reading Speed After 6 Months of Ranibizumab Treatment in Bravo and Cruise

Abstract

 

Purpose:

 

To examine the efficacy of ranibizumab (Lucentis®) on measured reading speed using a reading speed test through 6 months in subjects with macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

 

Methods:

 

Two multicenter, double-masked, phase III trials in which participants with macular edema following branch RVO (BRAVO) or central RVO (CRUISE) were randomized 1:1:1 to monthly sham, 0.3-mg or 0.5-mg ranibizumab for 6 months. Reading speed in the study eye was measured using a test designed by the Macular Photocoagulation Study group through collaboration with the Lighthouse in New York. The number of correctly read words per minute is reported. The test requires a maximum 6th grade reading level. It does not take into account literacy or cognitive state. The reading speed test was administered at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months.

 

Results:

 

At 6 months, ranibizumab-treated patients had greater mean gains in reading speed in study eyes than patients with sham-treated study eyes (Figure).

 

Conclusions:

 

In BRAVO and CRUISE, patients with macular edema following RVO subsequently treated monthly with ranibizumab had, on average, greater improvements in reading speed in study eyes, a direct patient performance assessment of reading ability and visual function, through 6 months compared with sham treatment.  

 

Clinical Trial:

 

www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00486018, NCT00485836

 

Keywords: quality of life • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials • macula/fovea