Bevacizumab for neovascular age related macular degeneration (ABC Trial): multicentre randomised double masked study

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreous bevacizumab injections for the treatment of neovascular age related macular degeneration.

Design Prospective, double masked, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

Setting Three ophthalmology centres in the United Kingdom.

Participants 131 patients (mean age 81) with wet age related macular degeneration randomised 1: 1 to intervention or control.

Interventions Intravitreous bevacizumab (1.25 mg, three loading injections at six week intervals followed by further treatment if required at six week intervals) or standard treatment available at the start of the trial (photodynamic treatment with verteporfin for predominantly classic type neovascular age related macular degeneration, or intravitreal pegaptanib or sham treatment for occult or minimally classic type neovascular age related macular degeneration).

Main outcome measures Primary outcome: proportion of patients gaining >= 15 letters of visual acuity at one year (54 weeks). Secondary outcomes: proportion of patients with stable vision and mean change in visual acuity.

Results Of the 131 patients enrolled in the trial, five patients did not complete the study because of adverse events, loss to follow-up, or death. In the bevacizumab group, 21 (32%) patients gained 15 or more letters from baseline visual acuity compared with two (3%) in the standard care group (P

Conclusions Bevacizumab 1.25 mg intavitreous injections given as part of a six weekly variable retreatment regimen is superior to standard care (pegaptanib sodium, verteporfin, sham), with low rates of serious ocular adverse events. Treatment improved visual acuity on average at 54 weeks.