Episcleral Brachytherapy for the Treatment of Wet AMD (NEAMES)

This is an interventional treatment trial for Macular Degeneration, Choroidal Neovascularization focused on measuring Brachytherapy, Wet AMD Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of active CNV or PCV due to nAMD
• Poor or non-responsive to FDA approved intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for nAMD
• BCVA 20/63 or worse Snellen equivalent in the study eye
• Ability to understand nature/purpose of trial and to provide informed consent
• Ability to undergo diagnostic tests and surgical interventions
• Ability to follow instructions and complete the trial including all scheduled visits and follow-up

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neovascularization other than due to AMD
• Sub-foveal lesion hemorrhage obscuring >50% of lesion
• Targeted neovascular lesion with greatest linear dimension >3750 microns or <1000 microns as determined by angiography
• Presence of subretinal fibrosis, including disciform scar, or retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) atrophy that is extensive or foveal threatening in the study eye
• An existing retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tear
• Previous treatment (excluding vitamins) for nAMD in the study eye other than anti-VEGF therapy in the last 6 months
• A change in anti-VEGF agent in the previous two administrations
• Anticipate a change to the anti-VEGF agent during the conduct of the study
• Other clinically significant ocular co-morbidity including, but not limited to, glaucoma, optic neuropathy of any cause, maculopathy / retinopathy of any cause other than nAMD, scleritis, enophthalmos, microphthalmia, or other co-morbidities that in the investigator's opinion could require medical or surgical intervention to prevent or treat visual loss or media opacity that might result from that condition (i.e. severe cataracts).
• Previous intraocular surgery in study eye other than for uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract extraction
• High myopia indicated by a history of refractive error of - 6D or greater (spherical equivalent), demonstrated myopic degeneration, or axial length of >26.5mm.
• Subjects with orbital structural abnormalities, such as small (axial length <21 mm), deep set globes or other globe dystopias that, in the investigator's clinical judgment, would require a change in the angle of insertion or increase the risk of structural damage from retrobulbar anesthesia, sub-Tenon's anesthesia, or retrobulbar device positioning.
• Media opacity sufficient to preclude adequate fundoscopy, OCT, or angiography
• Uncontrolled systemic diseases (e.g. controlled hypertension is acceptable)
• Type I or type II diabetes mellitus
• Any previous therapeutic radiation to the head or neck or other areas that may have resulted in a radiation dose to the retina.
• On anticoagulation or dual anti-platelet therapy with abnormal coagulation panel results.
• Patient unsuitable for IV or local anesthesia
• Any contraindication to anti-VEGF, fluorescein, indocyanine green, topical and local anesthetics, topical antiseptics, or topical antibiotics to be used during the study
• Active ocular or periocular infection or intraocular inflammation
• Fellow eye with a BCVA of 20/63 Snellen Equivalent or worse, with advanced AMD (neovascular or non-exudative AMD with foveal geographic atrophy), or other vision threatening disease that is not eligible for vision restoring treatment (i.e. inoperable cataracts).
• Fellow eye is receiving anti-VEGF therapy
• Have received any investigational treatment for any indication in the previous 30 days
• Any condition which, in the investigators' opinion, would conflict or otherwise prevent the subject from complying with the required procedures, schedule or other study conduct