Anti-VEGF Therapy and the Retina: An Update

Abstract

Ocular angiogenesis and macular oedema are major causes of sight loss across the world. Aberrant neovascularisation, which may arise secondary to numerous disease processes, can result in reduced vision as a result of oedema, haemorrhage, and scarring. The development of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents has revolutionised the treatment of retinal vasogenic conditions. These drugs are now commonly employed for the treatment of a plethora of ocular pathologies including choroidal neovascularisation, diabetic macular oedema, and retinal vein occlusion to name a few. In this paper, we will explore the current use of anti-VEGF in a variety of retinal diseases and the impact that these medications have had on visual outcome for patients.

Flow dynamics control the location of sprouting and direct elongation during developmental angiogenesis

“…In wet macular degeneration, defective angiogenesis leads to the formation of leaky vessels that damage the eye and lead to vision loss. Anti-angiogenic therapies can effectively stop and sometimes reverse the progression of macular degeneration (Tah et al, 2015). As such, there is significant interest in understanding the signals that induce or inhibit angiogenesis.…”

The Role of Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents in the Management of Retinopathy of Prematurity

“…65,66 There are currently four anti-VEGF agents on the market delivered as intravitreal injections: pegaptanib, ranibizumab, aflibercept, and bevacizumab. While bevacizumab is not currently approved for intravitreal use, its off label use has been well tolerated and quite effective in treating the entities described above for over 10 years.…”

Manipulating Angiogenesis by Targeting Endothelial Metabolism: Hitting the Engine Rather than the Drivers—A New Perspective?

“…Because pathologic angiogenesis is relevant in cancer and ocular disease (Tah et al, 2015), antiangiogenic treatment approaches have entered routine clinical application more than a decade ago. On the basis of the belief that tumors could be starved to death (Folkman, 1971), multiple efforts were undertaken to develop antiangiogenic substances for the clinic.…”