Macular degeneration can result in loss of central vision which is essential for reading, driving and other daily tasks. To delay its onset or prevent its worsening it can be managed through monthly eye injections of drugs that suppress VEGF and prevent leaky blood vessels from proliferating further.

Susvimo, the latest refillable ocular implant to deliver ranibizumab continuously, was shown at ARVO 2023 to allow patients to maintain their vision with only two treatments each year.

1. Genentech’s Susvimo (ranibizumab)

South San Francisco, July 28–Five Roche-sponsored studies from its ophthalmology portfolio will be featured in 25 abstracts at the American Society of Retina Specialists 2023 Annual Meeting. These studies showcase both clinical and real world evidence supporting Genentech’s products.

Susvimo implant from this company has been FDA-approved to treat wet macular degeneration caused by neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). It’s the only anti-VEGF therapy offering as few as two treatments each year – it continuously delivers ranibizumab for six months after an initial surgical procedure and must be refilled every six months to remain effective.

Susvimo achieved vision outcomes comparable to monthly injections with Aflibercept for those living with wet AMD and DME in an important study known as AVONELLE-X, as demonstrated by its results. Furthermore, increasing dose intervals did not compromise efficacy or safety compared with Aflibercept.

A second study, known as TENAYA-X, will provide data that confirms the positive anatomical results seen in AVONELLE-X such as reduced blood vessel leakage and improved retinal fluid control. VEGF is often responsible for this blood vessel leakage leading to vision loss due to neovascular AMD.

Anti-VEGF medicines must be injected directly into the eye and may require frequent visits to an ophthalmologist’s office for injections; this can be an arduous task for those suffering from wet macular degeneration and may leave many untreated, leaving many vulnerable to vision loss.

In the MARINA trials, Macugen–an injectable pegaptanib sodium implant–stabilized and improved vision in patients with wet macular degeneration similarly to Lucentis treatment; however, its effects were greater among those with lower or excellent baseline vision; this phenomenon is known as floor-to-ceiling effect and should be communicated to patients as part of any expectations regarding vision improvement.

2. Visudyne (photodynamic therapy)

VISUDYNE (verteporfin for injection) is a photodynamic drug administered through an arm injection that travels through the bloodstream into the eye, where it binds with abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid in wet AMD. A laser light then activates it, closing off those blood vessels by activating VISUDYNE and closing them off completely without harming normal retina cells or visual acuity as much as thermal photocoagulation does.

After receiving treatment, patients must avoid direct sunlight and bright indoor light for five days post-procedure to minimize extravasation of verteporfin drug and any potential eye discomfort such as pain, swelling and discoloration at injection site. Furthermore, photodynamic therapy with verteporfin has proven its efficacy against age-related macular degeneration by effectively treating choroidal neovascularization with photodynamic therapy using verteporfin injections. Preclinical and clinical research supports its efficacy against age-related macular degeneration due to photodynamic therapy using photodynamic treatment using verteporfin injections – preclinical studies confirm this evidenced treatment for age-related macular degeneration through photodynamic therapy treatments used with photodynamic therapy with verteporfin injections being effective against age-related macular degeneration choroidal neovascularization by targeting age related macular degeneration choroidal neovascularization of age-related macular degeneration with age-related macular degeneration treatment such as treatment using photodynamic therapy using verteporfin to address age related macular degeneration due to age-related macular degeneration caused choroidal neovascularization of age-related macular degeneration with effective photodynamic therapy using verteporfin as an effective anti age related macular degeneration choroidal choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration treatment using photodynamic therapy using age related macular degeneration through age related macular degeneration being effective, using age related macular degeneration therapy using Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin is effective treatment as it targets age related macular degeneration due to age related macular degeneration due to age related macular degeneration; preclinical and clinical studies showing it effectively target age related macular degeneration due to age related macular degeneration treatment in age related macular degeneration treatment with vertepor choroidal neovascularization caused by age related macular degeneration caused choroidal nev.

3. Anti-VEGF eye injections

Aflibercept and ranibizumab are FDA-approved treatments for wet macular degeneration. When administered via eye injection, these drugs stop or slow the formation of abnormal blood vessels that leak and lead to vision loss, with treatment typically repeated monthly or bimonthly; however, having to travel out for each injection poses a significant barrier that could result in missed appointments and worsened vision over time.

Genentech recently received FDA approval of their Susvimo port-delivery system for ranibizumab, now called Susvimo, which can provide continuous dosing. Refills can be done every six months to continue treatment as an alternative to anti-VEGF eye injections that must be given up to once monthly.

New research suggests that an initial retinal thickness can make a substantial difference to treatment outcomes from anti-VEGF eye injections. A study published in Ophthalmology demonstrated this relationship, showing how baseline retinal thickness had an immense influence on rate of improvement of visual acuity over one year study period – those with lower initial retinal thicknesses experienced faster decline, while higher initial thicknesses experienced slower progress.

Recent findings indicate that patients with high levels of the protein Apolipoprotein B100 may experience less abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye. According to researchers who published their research in Graefe’s Archives of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, Apolipoprotein B100 was linked with reduced instances of Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) and Geographic Atrophy (GA). Furthermore, no correlation was seen between CNV lesion size and rate of progression – perhaps suggesting some protective impact of neovascularization on GA progression progression – possible protecting eyes from CNV growth!

Eye care specialists share insights and discuss challenges and opportunities with long-term treatments for wet macular degeneration (AMD). Dante Pieramici, MD; Lloyd Clark and Roger A Goldberg offer advice for tailoring treatment regimens specifically to Wet AMD.

4. Vitamins and minerals

No known treatments exist for wet macular degeneration; however, early diagnosis and treatment could reduce visual loss significantly. Regular visits to your ophthalmologist can help detect changes that require medical treatment as soon as they arise and start therapy immediately.

Macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition that gradually wears away at your retina – the light-sensitive tissue inside your eyeball that helps transmit visual signals to the brain – leading to gradual central vision loss, ultimately leading to blindness. Wet macular degeneration is an advanced form, caused by abnormal blood vessel growth leaking fluid and swelling destroying macula and leading to vision loss over time. It accounts for 15-25% of cases of macular degeneration and accounts for most rapid vision loss rates.

Anti-VEGF medication can be an effective treatment option for wet AMD, helping prevent the abnormal blood vessel growth that leads to neovascularization and vision loss. Anti-VEGF medicines are administered via eye injection, with one of the most popular being Bevacizumab which was approved by the FDA as of 2012 for treating wet macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Ranibizumab, Aflibercept and Pegaptanib are other anti-VEGF medications used against wet AMD.

Laser surgery is another new treatment option available to treat fragile leaky blood vessels; it involves targeting them with high-energy beams of light to disrupt them, but this treatment often does not offer as much success and multiple sessions may be required to achieve results.

Eating healthily may also help your vision by providing your body with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products and fish. Certain nutrients are particularly essential to eye health – such as vitamins A and C found in eggs, carrots, sweet potatoes and dark green vegetables respectively; potassium provides additional support by keeping both eyes and heart in good condition.

There are also multivitamin and mineral supplements available, but food sources tend to provide the optimal source of these vital nutrients. Too many supplements could actually reduce the effectiveness of other treatments for macular degeneration such as anti-VEGF drugs or laser surgery.