title: A 12-month prospective trial of inject and extend regimen for ranibizumab treatment of age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a strictly applied inject and extend protocol for ranibizumab treatment of age-related macular degeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized trial. Patients underwent standard induction with 3 intravitreal doses of 0.5 mg ranibizumab, each 1 month apart. Following this induction, patients were evaluated and received an injection at each visit. If they did not meet set criteria for signs of exudative disease the interval to the next visit was extended by 2 weeks and if exudative disease was present the interval was shortened by 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vision improved by 1.3 lines (P = 0.008); 26% gained ≥3 lines of vision, 74% lost no lines of vision, and 95% avoided loss of ≥3 lines of vision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that the Inject and Extend protocol is safe and efficacious for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Head-to-head studies are needed to compare directly with other regimens currently in use, as well as economic analysis to investigate the financial implications.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia. nicktoalster@me.com
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Toalster
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069579:Ranibizumab