Anti-VEGF agents in the treatment of diabetic macular edema

Abstract

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a common complication associated with the loss of visual acuity in diabetic patients. Intravitreal injections of vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors (anti-VEGF therapy) have been proposed recently as a new treatment option for patients with DME. In this review we summarized results of randomized clinical trials of VEGF inhibitors in DME patients. The results indicate that all studied inhibitors (ranibizumab, bevacizumab, pegaptanib and aflibersept) reduce the retinal thickness and improve of visual acuity in DME when are used as a monotherapy or in combination with the laser treatment. Optimal course duration and effectiveness predictors of anti-VEGF therapy in DME should be elucidate in the future studies.

Keywords

• diabetic macular edema
• vascular endothelium growth factor
• ranibizumab
• bevacizumab
• pegaptanib
• afliberсept