Sample size and randomization
The sample size was calculated as 30 per group with a test power of 80% and a type I (two-sided) error of 5% corresponding to a mean BCVA difference of 10 ± 15 as our primary outcome reported in ETDRS letter scores for two study arms [Randomized sequences generated using a random number generator in SPSS and permuted blocks of size 4 at a 1:1 ratio were transferred to sealed envelopes, which revealed the next treatment assignment once a participant was included.