Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Brolucizumab Versus Aflibercept in Patients With Visual Impairment Due to Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of brolucizumab in treatment of patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

The study was comprised of a Screening period (Day -28 to Day -1), Double-masked treatment period (Day 1 to Week 72) and Post-treatment follow-up period (Week 72 to Week 76). Treatment visits were scheduled in 4-week intervals. After 6 initial monthly injections of brolucizumab or aflibercept (loading phase), subjects entered a one-year individualized flexible treatment (IFT) phase. During the IFT phase, an assessment of disease stability was performed at each monthly visit and subjects received either an active or a sham injection. Treatment with active was interrupted when disease stability was reached.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Signed informed consent must be obtained prior to participation in the study.
* Patients with visual impairment due to ME secondary to BRVO diagnosed \< 6 months prior to screening.
* BCVA score between 78 and 23 letters, inclusive, using ETDRS visual acuity testing charts (approximate Snellen equivalent of 20/32 to 20/320) at both screening and baseline visits.

Exclusion criteria

* Concomitant conditions or ocular disorders in the study eye at screening or baseline which could, in the opinion of the investigator, prevent response to study treatment or may confound interpretation of study results, compromise visual acuity or require medical or surgical intervention during the first 12-month study period (e.g. structural damage of the fovea, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal vascular occlusion other than BRVO, retinal detachment, macular hole, or choroidal neovascularization of any cause, diabetic retinopathy (except mild non-proliferative) and diabetic macular edema). Hemiretinal vein occlusion should be excluded.
* Any active intraocular or periocular infection or active intraocular inflammation (e.g. infectious conjunctivitis, keratitis, scleritis, endophthalmitis, infectious blepharitis, uveitis) in study eye at screening or baseline
* Uncontrolled glaucoma in the study eye defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) \> 25 mmHg on medication, or according to investigator's judgment, at screening or baseline
* Presence of amblyopia, amaurosis or ocular disorders in the fellow eye with BCVA \< 20/200 at screening (except when due to conditions whose surgery may improve VA, e.g. cataract)
* Previous treatment with any anti-VEGF therapy or investigational drugs in the study eye at any time prior to baseline
* Previous use of intraocular or periocular steroids in study eye at any time prior to baseline
* Macular laser photocoagulation (focal/grid) in the study eye at any time prior to baseline and peripheral laser photocoagulation in the study eye within 3 months prior to the baseline
* Intraocular surgery in the study eye during the 3-month period prior to baseline
* Vitreoretinal surgery in the study eye at any time prior to baseline
* Aphakia with the absence of posterior capsule in the study eye