Anti-VEGF agents for age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of legal blindness in the elderly in the industrialized world and the third major cause of blindness around the globe. Although neovascular AMD is less prevalent than atrophic AMD, it accounts for most cases with severe visual loss from AMD. VEGF seems to be a key contributary factor in the pathophysiology underlying neovascular AMD. Until recently, treatment options for neovascular AMD were limited. With the recent development of anti-VEGF therapies that have demonstrated efficacy in studies with broad eligibility criteria, the repertoire of treatments for neovascular AMD has been significantly expanded to now include the various recognized angiographic lesion subtypes. To discuss recent anti-VEGF agents in the management of AMD. Although therapy with anti-VEGF agents is the gold standard with promising results, many intravitreal injections are often required, and they do not cure all cases of wet AMD. With the recent advances in the medical therapy of exudative AMD, there is reason to be optimistic about future management of AMD as well.