The future implications and indications of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in ophthalmic practice

Abstract

In the last few years anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy has changed the paradigm in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Besides, its potential use in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and other possible proliferative vascular disorders has also shown promise. Clinical trial results have shown tremendous beneficial effect of ranibizumab in ARMD. Off-label use of bevacizumab has also shown similar benefit but long-term and clinical trial results do not exist. Some of the potential questions in the use of anti-VEGF are recurring cost, possible long-term effect on physiological function of VEGF and determination of endpoint of treatment. Overall, the use of anti-VEGF therapy in ocular angiogenesis has proven to be beneficial at least now.

Keywords

• Age-related macular degeneration
• angiogenesis
• anti-vascular endothelial growth factor
• bevacizumab
• complement pathway
• pegaptanib
• pigment epithelium derived factor
• ranibizumab