Visual acuity time in range: a novel concept to describe consistency in treatment response in diabetic macular oedema

Objective To assess ‘time in range’ as a novel measure of treatment response in diabetic macular oedema (DMO). Methods This post hoc analysis of the Protocol T randomised clinical trial included 660 individuals with centre-involved DMO and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) letter score ≤78–≥24 (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/32–20/320). Study participants received intravitreal aflibercept 2.0 mg, repackaged (compounded) bevacizumab 1.25 mg, or ranibizumab 0.3 mg given up to every 4 weeks using defined retreatment criteria. Mean time in range was calculated using a BCVA letter score threshold of ≥69 (20/40 or better; minimum driving requirement in many regions), with sensitivity analyses using BCVA thresholds from 100 to 0 (20/10 to 20/800) in 1-letter increments. Results Time in range was defined as either the absolute or relative duration above a predefined BCVA threshold, measured in weeks or as a percentage of time, respectively. Using a BCVA letter score threshold of ≥69 (20/40 or better), the least squares mean time in range (adjusted for baseline BCVA) in Year 1 was 41.2 weeks with intravitreal aflibercept, 4.0 weeks longer (95% CI: 1.7, 6.3; p = 0.002) than bevacizumab and 3.6 weeks longer (1.3, 5.9; p = 0.004) than ranibizumab. Overall, mean time in range was numerically longer for intravitreal aflibercept for all BCVA letter score thresholds between 92 and 30 (20/20 to 20/250). In the Day 365–728 analysis, time in range was 3.9 (1.3, 6.5) and 2.4 (0.0, 4.9) weeks longer with intravitreal aflibercept vs bevacizumab and vs ranibizumab ( p = 0.011 and 0.106), respectively. Conclusion BCVA time in range may represent another way to describe visual outcomes and potential impact on vision-related functions over time for patients with DMO and provide a better understanding, for physicians and patients, of the consistency of treatment efficacy.