Clinical efficacy of eplerenone versus placebo for central serous chorioretinopathy: study protocol for the VICI randomised controlled trial

Abby Willcox, Lucy Culliford, Lucy Ellis, Chris A. Rogers, Angela Cree, Usha Chakravarthy, Sarah Ennis, Francine Behar-Cohen, Barnaby C. Reeves, Sobha Sivaprasad, Andrew Lotery*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)
495 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Aims: Chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is poorly understood. Fluid accumulates in the subretinal space and retinal pigment epitheliopathy and neurosensory atrophy may develop. Permanent vision loss occurs in approximately one third of cases. There are no effective treatments for CSCR. Recent studies have shown the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, eplerenone, to be effective in resolving subretinal fluid and improving visual acuity. This trial aims to compare the safety and efficacy of eplerenone in patients with CSCR in a double-masked randomised placebo-controlled trial. Methods: Patients are randomised 1:1 to receive eplerenone with usual care or placebo with usual care for 12 months; 25 mg per day for 1 week, then 50 mg per day up to 12 months (unless discontinued for safety or resolution of CSCR). Key eligibility criteria are: age 18–60 years, one eye with CSCR for ≥4 months duration, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) >53 and <86 letters and no previous treatment. The primary outcome is BCVA at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include resolution of subretinal fluid, development of macular atrophy, subfoveal choroidal thickness, changes in low luminance visual acuity, health-related quality of life and safety. Conclusions: Recruitment is complete but was slower than expected. We maintained the eligibility criteria to ensure participants had ‘true’ CSCR and recruited additional centres. Effective distribution of the investigational medicinal product (IMP) was achieved by implementing a database to manage ordering and accountability of IMP packs. The results will provide adequately powered evidence to inform clinical decisions about using eplerenone to treat patients with CSCR.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)295-303
Number of pages9
JournalEye
Volume33
Issue number2
Early online date7 Sep 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2019

Structured keywords

  • BTC (Bristol Trials Centre)
  • Centre for Surgical Research

Keywords

  • Central serous chorioretinopathy
  • central serous retinopathy
  • eplerenone
  • placebo
  • randomised controlled trial
  • masked
  • sub-retinal fluid
  • mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist
  • investigational medicinal product

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