Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition that slowly damages central vision, potentially leading to blindness if left untreated. There are two forms of AMD: dry AMD and wet AMD. Dry AMD involves deposits called drusen underneath the retina while wet AMD results from abnormal blood vessel growth which leads to fluid leakage causing vision loss.

Faricimab

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema are leading causes of blindness in developed countries, imposing significant burdens both on patients and society alike. Vision loss substantially diminishes quality of life while leading to additional costs due to complications associated with increased medical bills and costs due to complications comorbidities associated with increased costs associated with treatment options such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor intravitreal injection therapy; however this standard of care treatment offers subpar visual results when used outside randomized clinical trial data comparison. Emerging therapies with broad therapeutic targets as well as long-lasting delivery mechanisms may improve treatment compliance while decreasing treatment burden burden in real world use and clinical trial data comparisons.

Faricimab (Vabysmo, Genentech) was recently approved by both FDA and EMA as an anti-neovascular wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic maculopathy treatment by targeting both the Ang-Tie/pathway and VEGF-A pathways involved with these retinal diseases’ progression. Furthermore, its pharmacological properties allow for longer treatment intervals than previous agents which will benefit many patients with DME who had become resistant.

Retinal specialists presented 2-year results of the TENAYA, LUCERNE, and YOSEMITE trials of faricimab for DME patients from the TENAYA, LUCERNE, and YOSEMITE trials focusing on treat-and-extend strategies used. These studies illustrated that faricimab could maintain anatomical and visual outcomes with reduced frequency of injections without compromise to patient safety; one year outcomes were obtained using an approach familiar to most retinal specialists allowing these findings to have clinical significance for other physicians considering faricimab treatment options when DME patients had failed treatment options such as Aflibercept alone.

EyePoint Pharmaceuticals (EYP) and Nicox are currently conducting a phase 3 clinical study that tests faricimab as part of an approved retinal drug for treating geographic atrophy called EYP-1901 (avacincaptad pegol), under special protocol assessment written approval granted by the FDA on July 20, 2101. The compassionate use exemption allows them to conduct this trial at their convenience. EYP-1901 has received Fast Track designation from the FDA to expedite review in line with early evidence suggesting substantial health outcomes improvement;

Susvimo

The FDA recently granted clearance to Susvimo, an ocular implant which continuously releases ranibizumab, an anti-VEGF medication, for patients suffering from wet age-related macular degeneration. Susvimo can be surgically placed into an eye in one-off outpatient procedure and refills can be replenished every six months as directed by Genentech (which makes the product). Genentech claims this new product reduces treatment needs from 12 annually down to two treatments annually per person with wet AMD patients yearly treatments from 12 down to two, according to Genentech who’s wholly owned subsidiary Genentech who makes this product.

Archway study results demonstrated that patients treated with Susvimo achieved vision gains comparable to those achieved from Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) given monthly. It should be noted, however, that the tip of implant remains visible beneath conjunctiva making it less appealing for some patients; additionally there is risk of endophthalmitis- an infection within eye that requires medical treatment if detected – making this choice less appealing overall and possibly creating medical emergencies.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an incurable progressive condition that results in permanent loss of central vision. Affecting over 10 million Americans and ranking among the leading causes of blindness worldwide, AMD typically manifests itself with breakdown of macula and formation of fluid-filled areas beneath retina called drusen; wet AMD can lead to severe vision loss.

Wet AMD is caused by abnormal blood vessel growth between two layers of cells in the retina, most commonly when retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) breaks down and allows blood vessels to form under it, leaking fluid out and eventually blocking off vision entirely. Treatment options differ significantly between dry age-related macular degeneration and wet AMD; monthly anti-VEGF injections may help protect vision loss.

Macular degeneration patients suffering from wet age-related macular degeneration can take advantage of aflibercept (Eylea), the new macular degeneration treatment available 2021. Aflibercept is an antibody which blocks new blood vessel formation caused by VEGF and thus slowing vision loss associated with wet age-related macular degeneration and slowing its progression.

Levodopa

Levodopa is a dopamine regulator which has been shown to effectively reduce symptoms associated with macular degeneration. As a low-dose medication that may be taken alone or combined with other medicines, Levodopa comes as either a tablet or liquid form and should always be taken according to label instructions for maximum effect; failure to do so could cause serious side effects and it should be used with caution in people who have cardiovascular or liver conditions or kidney diseases.

Levodopa (L-DOPA) is a dopamine precursor drug taken orally that travels directly into the brain and is converted to dopamine through an enzymatic process. When combined with carbidopa, L-DOPA can be quickly absorbed and has less toxic side effects, an essential benefit since AMD damage decreases dopamine levels considerably; decreased dopamine can cause symptoms like tremors, hypokinesia, and depression.

Studies on L-DOPA as a treatment for macular degeneration have been performed, including a pilot study in which dry AMD patients were given levodopa. This trial sought to evaluate whether levodopa could improve visual acuity and pathologic retinal changes among these individuals. Furthermore, researchers compared best corrected ETDRS visual acuity with thickness measured with fundus autofluorescence imaging and spectral domain optical coherence tomography as well as new blood (hemorrhage) entering their macula.

Levodopa/Carbidopa/Entacapone Teva is a dopamine regulator which has been demonstrated to help reduce symptoms associated with macular degeneration. While this medication may provide some relief, it should still be monitored closely with regular visits to your doctor in order to receive maximum benefit from it. In some instances, your physician may suggest increasing your dose in order to attain improved results; though this practice is uncommon it should still be discussed with them and any queries addressed as needed.

Brolucizumab

Brolucizumab is an innovative new treatment for macular degeneration that reduces fluid build-up in the retina. As a single-chain antibody fragment that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), clinical trials demonstrated its efficacy at preventing macular degeneration among people living with AMD as well as slowing vision loss rates in people suffering neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). It should be injected twice monthly and comes packaged in pre-filled syringes to make administration even simpler.

Follow your doctor’s instructions when taking this medication to avoid unwanted side effects and promote its efficacy. Also, it should not be shared or used for purposes other than those prescribed by your physician.

HAWK and HARRIER trials recently provided definitive proof that an anti-VEGF therapy, such as brolucizumab or aflibercept, could significantly improve vision in wet AMD. These trials compared their efficacy against one another during treatment-naive neovascular AMD over six months, evaluating effectiveness at three intervals over that timeframe; results demonstrated that those receiving brolucizumab had improved visual acuity as well as less fluid accumulation compared with those receiving treatment with either drug.

Anti-VEGF therapies are currently available to treat wet AMD via intravitreal injection into the eye, yet many patients show poor adherence or experience suboptimal results compared to clinical trial results. New treatments have emerged that aim to increase adherence and durability of response by targeting new therapeutic targets with innovative delivery systems such as drugs.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema are leading causes of blindness in developed nations, leading to significant vision loss as well as economic costs for individuals and society alike. Both conditions can be treated using anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies administered intravitreally; however, due to poor adherence and burden in real world trials compared with clinical trial data; new therapies aim at improving these adherence issues by targeting new therapeutic targets or offering innovative drug delivery systems or one dose gene therapy treatments.