LIEPS - Lucentis Injection Eye Pressure Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Short-term intraocular pressure trends in high risk patients following intravitreal Ranibizumab (Lucentis) injections for Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration - Is there a role for systemic Acetazolamide (Diamox) in those with glaucoma?

• IRAS ID

  53294

• Sponsor organisation

  York Hospitals NHS Trust

• Eudract number

  2010-023037-35

• ISRCTN Number

  N/A

• Research summary

  Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness among people who are 50 years of age or older in the developed world.1 Neovascular (wet) type of AMD is characterised by the abnormal growth of blood vessels at the macula which is the central part of the retina concerned with high resolution vision. These new blood vessels leak and haemorrhage which leads to damage of the retinal layers. The result is severe loss of central vision and untreated this can lead to rapid irreversible central blindness. Age related neovascularisation is not fully understood but vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) has been implicated as an important contributing factor.1Ranibizumab (Lucentis) is a recombinant, humanized monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes all active forms of VEGF-A.1 The National Institute for Clinical Excellence granted its use in the United Kingdom in August 2008. Ranibizumab is now the standard of care for Wet AMD. Treatment involves intravitreal injections on a monthly basis for an initial 3 months and monthly thereafter if neovascular activity persists. One of the potential side affects of the injections is raised intraocular pressure. In high risk glaucoma patients this may lead to further loss of vision. In our study we aim to look at intraocular pressure trends in glaucoma patients undergoing Lucentis injections for wet ARMD. We explore the role of oral acetazolamide (Diamox) in reducing intraocular pressure spikes in these patients.

• REC name

  North East - York Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  10/H0903/57

• Date of REC Opinion

  5 May 2011

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion