Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35833805›Full record

Trial reportThe New England journal of medicine2022

Aflibercept Monotherapy or Bevacizumab First for Diabetic Macular Edema.

Chirag D Jhaveri, Adam R Glassman, Frederick L Ferris, Danni Liu, Maureen G Maguire, John B Allen, Carl W Baker, David Browning, Matthew A Cunningham, Scott M Friedman and 7 more

2 registry-linked trialsOpen access · bronzeAbstract readMulticenter StudyRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in The New England journal of medicine, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 42 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
42citing papers in PubMed
14.9field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT03321513 phase3completednot on this map

Randomized Trial of Intravitreous Aflibercept Versus Intravitreous Bevacizumab + Deferred Aflibercept for Treatment of Central-Involved Diabetic Macular Edema

TypeinterventionalSponsorJaeb Center for Health ResearchRan2017 to 2021Enrolled270ConditionsDiabetic Macular EdemaArmsintravitreous aflibercept, Bevacizumab + Deferred Aflibercept Group
NCT06610747 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2024, after this paper: background citation

Home Care Monitoring of Visual Acuity and OCT Versus Standard Hospital/Clinic Care Monitoring During Diabetic Macular Edema Management: A Non-inferiority Randomized Clinical Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorZhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen UniversityRan2024 to 2027Enrolled308ConditionsDiabetic Macular EdemaArmsHome-based Care Monitoring, Aflibercept 2Mg/0.05Ml Inj,Oph, Laser Treatment, Standard Hospital/clinic-based Care Monitoring
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

42 citing papers in PubMed, 77 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Trial
  2. Trial
  3. Response to anti-VEGF injections for diabetic macular edema among patients on chronic exogenous insulin therapy.Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie · 2026
    Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Review
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Article
  17. Review
  18. Transforming retinal disease management through diabetes care.Journal of managed care & specialty pharmacy · 2025
    Article
  19. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapies in ophthalmology.Medical hypothesis, discovery & innovation ophthalmology journal · 2025
    Review
  20. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors at 9 institutions in 1 country.

Chirag D JhaveriFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Adam R GlassmanFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Frederick L FerrisFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Danni LiuFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Maureen G MaguireFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
John B AllenFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Carl W BakerFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
David BrowningFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Matthew A CunninghamFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Scott M FriedmanFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Lee M JampolFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Dennis M MarcusFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Daniel F MartinFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Carin M PrestonFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Cynthia R StockdaleFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
Jennifer K SunFrom the Retina Consultants of Austin and the Austin Research Center for Retina - both in Austin, TX (C.D.J.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa (A.R.G., D.L., M.G.M., C.M.P., C.R.S.), the Florida Retina Institute, Orlando (M.A.C.), and Florida Retina Consultants, Lakeland (S.M.F.) - all in Florida; Ophthalmic Research Consultants, Waxhaw (F.L.F.), and Southeast Clinical Research Associates (J.B.A.) and Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates (D.B.), Charlotte - all in North Carolina; the Ophthalmology Group, Paducah, KY (C.W.B.); the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago (L.M.J.); the Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, GA (D.M.M.); Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (D.F.M.); and the Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston (J.K.S.).
DRCR Retina Network
Jaeb Center for Health Research · USJoslin Diabetes Center · USCalifornia Retina Consultants · USCharlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates · USCleveland Clinic · USHarvard University · USRetina Consultants of Houston · USRetina Institute · USSoutheast Retina Center · US

Funding

DRCR Retina NetworkUG1EY014231 · NEI · JAEB CENTER FOR HEALTH RESEARCH, INC. · PI Adam R Glassman, DANIEL F MARTIN · 2019 to 2026
$75.4M
NEI NIH HHS UG1 EY014231NEI NIH HHS UG1EY014231
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn eyes with diabetic macular edema, the relative efficacy of administering aflibercept monotherapy as compared with bevacizumab first with a switch to aflibercept if the eye condition does not improve sufficiently (a form of step therapy) is unclear.

methodsAt 54 clinical sites, we randomly assigned eyes in adults who had diabetic macular edema involving the macular center and a visual-acuity letter score of 24 to 69 (on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better visual acuity; Snellen equivalent, 20/320 to 20/50) to receive either 2.0 mg of intravitreous aflibercept or 1.25 mg of intravitreous bevacizumab. The drug was administered at randomization and thereafter according to the prespecified retreatment protocol. Beginning at 12 weeks, eyes in the bevacizumab-first group were switched to aflibercept therapy if protocol-specified criteria were met. The primary outcome was the mean change in visual acuity over the 2-year trial period. Retinal central subfield thickness and visual acuity at 2 years and safety were also assessed.

resultsA total of 312 eyes (in 270 adults) underwent randomization; 158 eyes were assigned to receive aflibercept monotherapy and 154 to receive bevacizumab first. Over the 2-year period, 70% of the eyes in the bevacizumab-first group were switched to aflibercept therapy. The mean improvement in visual acuity was 15.0 letters in the aflibercept-monotherapy group and 14.0 letters in the bevacizumab-first group (adjusted difference, 0.8 letters; 95% confidence interval, -0.9 to 2.5; P = 0.37). At 2 years, the mean changes in visual acuity and retinal central subfield thickness were similar in the two groups. Serious adverse events (in 52% of the patients in the aflibercept-monotherapy group and in 36% of those in the bevacizumab-first group) and hospitalizations for adverse events (in 48% and 32%, respectively) were more common in the aflibercept-monotherapy group.

conclusionsIn this trial of treatment of moderate vision loss due to diabetic macular edema involving the center of the macula, we found no evidence of a significant difference in visual outcomes over a 2-year period between aflibercept monotherapy and treatment with bevacizumab first with a switch to aflibercept in the case of suboptimal response. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; Protocol AC ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03321513.).

Indexed as

Angiogenesis InhibitorsBevacizumabDiabetic RetinopathyMacular EdemaReceptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth FactorRecombinant Fusion ProteinsAdultDiabetes MellitusHumansIntravitreal InjectionsRanibizumabVascular Endothelial Growth Factor AafliberceptAngiogenesis InhibitorsBevacizumabRanibizumabReceptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth FactorRecombinant Fusion ProteinsVascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Identifiers

PMID35833805
PMCPMC9714135
OpenAlexW4285386130

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.