A review of ranibizumab clinical trial data in exudative age-related macular degeneration and how to translate it into daily practice.

The results of randomized controlled clinical trials of ranibizumab for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration established a new standard of care with the prospect of improved vision in many patients. Subsequent trials have explored different strategies to increase response rates and reduce treatment frequency. This review analyzes the key clinical trial data for ranibizumab on the basis of which the author proposes a new treatment regimen with the aim of rationalizing treatment frequency without compromising improvements in vision--the FUSION regimen. This consists of an initiation phase followed by pro re nata (PRN) retreatment combined with fixed injections after a period of disease inactivity of 2-4 months (depending on the time elapsed since the last injection). A randomized clinical trial is recommended for comparing monthly, PRN and the FUSION regimens.