Can eye injections stop wet AMD before it starts?
NCT ID NCT02462889
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether injections of aflibercept (Eylea) into the eye could prevent the development of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in people at high risk. 128 participants with early signs of AMD in one eye and wet AMD in the other eye received either Eylea or a sham injection. The main goal was to see if Eylea could reduce the chance of the high-risk eye converting to wet AMD over two years.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- aflibercept (Eylea)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a preventive treatment for wet AMD in people at high risk, potentially saving vision.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 128 participants. The results may not apply to everyone, and the treatment involves regular eye injections with risks like infection or inflammation.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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128 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2015
- Finished
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Mar 2019
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Study eye must have a diagnosis of non-exudative age-related degeneration characterized by the presence of many intermediate sized drusen, 1 or more large drusen, and/or hyperpigmentary changes. Fellow (non-study) eye must have CNV lesion (i.e., leakage on fluorescein angiography and/or subretinal, intraretinal, or sub-RPE fluid on OCT) secondary to age-related macular degeneration OR history of CNV lesion secondary to age-related macular degeneration, as confirmed by current or past treatment or current or past diagnostic imaging. * Subject must be willing and able to comply with clinic visits and study-related procedures. * Subject must provide signed informed consent. * Subject must be able to understand and complete study-related questionnaires. In order to participate in the home monitoring sub-study, subjects must have an approved wireless device (i.e. iPhone, iPad, or iPod running iOS 6.0 or later) or be willing to use a loaned device and have access to a wireless Internet connection for the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Evidence of neovascular AMD in the study eye at time of enrollment or anytime in the past. The reading center must confirm that there is no evidence of neovascular AMD in the study eye prior to enrollment. * Serous PED of any size in the study eye, as determined by the reading center. * Previous treatment with verteporfin PDT, anti-VEGF therapy, laser, external beam radiation or other AMD therapy in the study eye. * History of macular hole in study eye. * History of vitrectomy in study eye. * Lens extraction or implantation within the last 3 months. * Capsulotomy within the last 1 month. * Lens or other media opacity that would preclude good fundus photography or angiography within the next 2 years. * Macular edema or signs of diabetic retinopathy more severe than 10 red dots (microaneurysms or blot hemorrhages). * Retinal changes related to high myopia and/or myopic correction greater than 8.00 diopters spherical equivalent. * Any progressive ocular disease that would affect visual acuity within the next 2 years. * Previous participation in any studies of investigational drugs likely to have ocular effects within 30 days preceding the initial study treatment. * Concurrent use of systemic anti-VEGF agents. * Active or recent (within 4 weeks) intraocular inflammation (grade trace or above) in the study eye. * Active infectious conjunctivitis, keratitis, scleritis, or endophthalmitis in either eye. * For subjects who have undergone prior refractive or cataract surgery in the study eye, the preoperative refractive error in the study eye cannot exceed 8 diopters of myopia. * Uncontrolled glaucoma in the study eye (defined as intraocular pressure greater than 25 mmHg) despite treatment with anti-glaucoma medication). * Subjects who are unable to be photographed to document CNV due to known allergy to fluorescein dye, lack of venous access or cataract obscuring the CNV. * Subjects with other ocular diseases that can compromise the visual acuity of the study eye such as amblyopia and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. * Current treatment for active systemic infection. * Evidence of significant uncontrolled concomitant diseases such as cardiovascular disease, nervous system, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, endocrine, or gastrointestinal disorders. * History of recurrent significant infections or bacterial infections. * Inability to comply with study or follow-up procedures. * Pregnancy (positive pregnancy test) or lactation
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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NJ Retina
Edison, New Jersey, 08817, United States
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Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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Retina Consultants of Houston
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group
Beverly Hills, California, 90211, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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