Effect of Residual Retinal Fluid on Visual Function in Ranibizumab-Treated Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Effect of Retinal Fluid on Vision Outcomes in HARBOR.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE : To investigate the relationship between retinal fluid and vision in ranibizumab-treated patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). DESIGN Clinical cohort study using post hoc analysis of clinical trial data. METHODS : Setting: HARBOR (NCT00891735): phase III, randomized, controlled trial. Population: 917 patients aged ≥50 years with subfoveal nAMD associated with subretinal (SRF) and/or intraretinal fluid (IRF) at baseline, screening, or week 1. Intervention: Intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 or 2.0 mg (all treatment arms pooled). Outcomes: Mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and BCVA change from baseline at months (M)12/24 evaluated by presence/absence of SRF and/or IRF. RESULTS : Baseline BCVA was higher with residual versus resolved SRF at M12 (mean [95% confidence interval (CI)], 58.8 letters [57.2 to 60.4] vs 53.5 [52.4 to 54.5]) and M24 (59.3 letters [57.8 to 60.8] vs 53.5 [52.5 to 54.5]). Mean BCVA change (adjusted for baseline) to M12 was greater with residual versus resolved SRF (mean difference [95% CI], +2.4 letters [+0.1 to +4.7]), but lower with residual versus resolved IRF (−3.5 letters [−5.8 to −1.2]). Eyes with residual SRF (no IRF) exhibited the largest mean BCVA gains (M12, +14.1 letters; M24, +13.2), followed by resolved SRF/IRF (M12, +10.6 letters; M24, +10.0), residual SRF/IRF (M12, +7.2 letters; M24, +8.5), and residual IRF only (M12, +5.5 letters; M24, +3.6). CONCLUSIONS : Vision outcomes (adjusted for baseline BCVA) through M24 were better in ranibizumab-treated eyes with residual versus resolved SRF, and worse with residual versus resolved IRF. Presence of residual retinal fluid requires a more complex and nuanced assessment and interpretation in the context of nAMD management.