Understanding Variation in Response to Anti –Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

A dozen years ago, the world changed for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) because of the introduction of the anti –vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (VEGF) agents ranibizumab and bevacizumab. For the first time, treatments were available that not only prevented loss of visual acuity but also improved vision for most patients. The outcomes found through 1 to 2 years of treatment were in stark contrast to the dismal course of untreated eyes and eyes treated with the modestly beneficial treatments available before 2005 (thermal laser, photodynamic therapy with verteporfin, or intravitreal injection of pegaptanib).
Source: JAMA Ophthalmology - Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research