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Topical bromfenac may aid reduction of retinal thickness in AMD patients
Retina. 2011. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0b013e318229b0af.
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Topical bromfenac may help to further reduce retinal thickness when used in combination with ranibizumab to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration, a small pilot study found.
"This is a preliminary finding but less retinal fluid and disturbance of retinal architecture may over the longer term afford a better opportunity for the preservation or improvement in vision," the study authors said.
Xibrom (bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09%, Ista Pharmaceuticals) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent that blocks the production of prostaglandins. It is currently approved for inflammation after cataract surgery and is also being investigated as a treatment for macular edema after cataract surgery.
In the single-site, prospective, open-label, interventional, phase 2 trial, 30 eyes with new or recurrent exudative AMD were randomized at a ratio of 2:1 to combination therapy with Lucentis (ranibizumab, Genentech) and bromfenac or ranibizumab alone. Patients received ranibizumab on a monthly basis for 4 months and then as needed; bromfenac was self-administered as one drop twice daily for 12 months.
No differences in best corrected visual acuity or number of injections were observed. However, mean decrease in central macular thickness in the combination group was 81.56 µm compared to 42.50 µm in the ranibizumab group (P = .03). Additionally, the proportion of eyes experiencing a reduction of 50 µm or more was significantly higher in the combination group (P = .046).
Mild burning or stinging sensation was reported more frequently in the combination therapy group, but the difference was not statistically significant and no safety concerns were raised.