Researches advance on anti-VEGF medication for retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Retinopathy ofprematurity(ROP)is one of the major cause of childhood blindness worldwide. Previously, the treatment for ROP for the patients at the threshold period and before high-risk period is mainly the retinal laser and cryotherapy. However, cryotherapy and laser therapy are destructive, which can inevitably result in permanent peripheral field loss and more complications. Some patients' states of illness can't be controlled after surgery and end with total loss of vision. Hence, a new treatment method should be explored. Recently, many clinical data showed that anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy may be effective in treating retinopathy of prematurity. This article reviewed the recent literature on the research and progress of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(anti-VEGF)drugs in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity.

Keywords

• retinopathy of prematurity
• vascular endothelial growth factor
• retinal neovascularization