Injectable Treatments

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• Avastin

  Avastin was originally developed as a treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. Avastin works by inhibiting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to cease blood vessel formation in tumors.

  Ophthalmologists are using Avastin “off-label” to treat AMD and similar conditions since reasearch indicates that VEGF is one of the causes
  for the growth of the abnormal vessls that cause theese conditions. Some patients treated with Avastin had less fluid amd more normal-appearing
  maculas, and their vision improved. Avastin is also used, therefore, to treat macular edema, or swelling of the macula.

• Anti-VEGF Treatments

  Your ophthalmologist may treat your wet AMD or other disease of the retina with a drug called anti-VEGF. Anti-VEGF treatment improves vision in about one third (1 out of 3) people who take it. For a vast majority (9 out of 10), it at least
  stabiilizes vision.

• What is Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor?

  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a protein produced by cells in your body. VEGF causes leaky blood vessels and stimulates formation of new blood vessels.

• Why do You Want to Stop VEGF from Working?

  Sometimes cells can produce too much VEGF. When this happens blood vessels become leaky and fluid can accumulate in the vision center. New blood vessels can form in the vision center as well. This can lead to low vision or blindness.

• What Conditions Are Treated with Anti-VEGF Medicine?

  Anti-VEGF medicine blocks VEGF, reducing fluid from accumulating in the vision center and slowing the growth of blood vessels in the eye. This slows or stops damage and slows down vision loss. Sometimes it can even improve vision.

  Ophthalmologists use anti-VEGF medicines to treat the following eye problems:

  • Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
  • Swelling of the retina, called macular edema, from Diabetes or Vein Occlusion
  • Diabetic Retinopathy

  Ophthalmologists generally consider all three to be safe and effective treatments for retinal disease. One study that compared the effectiveness of Lucentis and Avastin found them both effective for treating Wet AMD. The differences among Avastin, Lucentis and Eylea have to do with cost and packaging. Risk factors are similar in all three medications. A number of new anti-VEGF drugs are nearing approval and patients may have more treatment options in coming years.

• How Anti-VEGF Treatment is Given

  This is what you can expect during treatment:

  • Your ophthalmologist will clear your eye to prevent infection with betadine.
  • The eye is numbed to reduce pain.
  • A small device is placed on your eye to keep your eyelids out of the way.
  • Your ophthalmologist injects the drug throught the white part of your eye using a very thin needle.
  • The injection only takes a few seconds. You do not see the needle itself.

  Your ophthalmologist will decide how many treatments you need. You may need other types of treatment along with anti-VEGF treatments.

• Blood vessel growth inhibitor

  It can treat multiple conditions

  • Wet age-related macular degeneration (WAMD)
  • Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)
  • Diabetic macular edema (DME)
  • Myopid choroidal neovascularization (MCNV)
  • Macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO)

• Lucentis (ranibizumab)

  Lucentis is the brand name for the drug, which is called ranibizumab. It blocks the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye.
  Those blood vessels can leak and affect vision, causing vision loss.

• Eylea (aflibercept)

  Eylea is the brand name for the drug, which is called aflibercept. It blocks the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the back of the
  eye. Those blood vessels can leak and affect vision, causing vision loss. It is approved for up to 8 weeks extended treatment.

• Beovu (brolucizumab)

  Beovu blocks blood vessel growth, approved specifically for wet AMD. It is approved for up to 12 weeks extend treatment.