Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the central part of your vision and may lead to blurry central vision, leading to blindness among Americans over 60. There are two forms of AMD: dry and wet; however, with wet AMD being more severe and rapidly progressing.

Retinal specialists Carl Regillo and Diana Do discuss emerging treatments for wet AMD, such as an implant capable of long-acting drug release.

Macugen

Macugen is an injection medication used to prevent wet age-related macular degeneration by inhibiting new blood vessel formation that leads to macular edema, as well as decreasing fluid leakage from retinal blood vessels. Macugen provides effective treatment for wet macular degeneration and may help improve vision significantly in areas you utilize most often.

Oculexan(r) is an eye drop taken regularly and one of the more successful drugs available to treat wet macular degeneration. After one year of treatment it met its primary efficacy endpoint of reducing percentages of patients losing 15 or more letters on an eye chart compared to placebo – leading to significant improvements in vision that lasted two years post treatment.

The drug works by binding to a specific protein that causes abnormal blood vessels to proliferate, and was designed specifically to treat wet macular degeneration – an acute form that may lead to permanent blindness – by increasing abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina, creating scar tissue which leads to macular edema and other complications.

Clinical trials showed that this medication significantly decreased risk of serious adverse events, such as retinal detachment or severe inflammation of interior eye structures (endophthalmitis) by 50% when compared with those taking a placebo, making it a breakthrough treatment option for wet macular degeneration; more effective than PDT which uses laser light to destroy abnormal blood vessels, PDT is currently approved by CareSource as being suitable.

Bevacizumab was recently approved to treat neovascular AMD when combined with laser therapy, following successful trial results with premature babies suffering retinopathy of prematurity – one of the leading causes of blindness among premature babies. Bevacizumab works by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an important protein responsible for angiogenesis and blood vessel growth associated with various diseases; PDT as well as Ranibizumab and Aflibercept are additional anti-VEGF medications used against neovascular AMD treatment regimens against this eye disease.

Susvimo

Susvimo is an ocular implant designed to extend the time between anti-VEGF injections by up to six months, providing a viable alternative to monthly Lucentis injections and improving vision in those suffering from wet macular degeneration (also called neovascular age-related macular degeneration or NAMD), macular edema due to BRVO/CRVO and CNV associated with AMD. As it acts as a type of VEGF inhibitor it works by stopping new blood vessel formation that could potentially cause macular edema.

Genentech, part of Roche Group and approved by FDA to make wet AMD treatments, recently developed a drug to allow patients up to six months between treatments – marking its first new wet AMD treatment since 1995 which reduces injection frequency annually. It will become commercially available by 2022.

In 2018, Susvimo completed its phase 3 Archway study, comparing its effectiveness and safety against monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections in people living with wet AMD. It involved 415 participants who already responded to at least two injections of VEGF inhibitor medications such as ranibizumab or bevacizumab; 408 responded positively while another 19 responded negatively; it found the implant to be more successful at maintaining or improving vision in more than 98% of cases versus monthly intravitreal injections due to increased risks of endophthalmitis infection risk than monthly intravitreal injections.

Susvimo uses a port delivery system which is surgically implanted into an eye in one-time procedure and continuously provides customized formulations of ranibizumab, an anti-VEGF agent, to the eye. Susvimo’s clinical development program comprises Portal, Pagoda Pavilion and Velodrome studies for evaluation purposes.

The new treatment option may provide relief to people who cannot tolerate the side effects associated with monthly injections of Lucentis, such as conjunctival hemorrhage, conjunctival hyperemia and iritis. Furthermore, its less likely to trigger allergic reactions than Aflibercept injections and could provide significant advantages in managing wet AMD. It marks a first ocular implant designed specifically to treat wet AMD.

Visudyne

Visudyne is the first drug therapy designed to stop leakage from blood vessels in eyes with wet age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease which can quickly lead to severe vision loss without treatment. Visudyne works by blocking abnormal blood vessels that form under the retina and leak blood or fluid that destroy macular cells – it is important that when taking this treatment you follow all instructions from your healthcare provider as well as safety precautions.

Visudyne uses verteporfin, which is a photosensitizing drug activated by light. An injection into the arm brings it directly to the eye via bloodstream; after which a non-thermal laser shines onto it to activate it – known as photodynamic therapy or PDT. Patients must protect their eyes during this process from direct light as prolonged exposure could increase risks such as pain, redness, and swelling at injection sites.

Visudyne was discovered to be effective at stopping leakage from abnormal new blood vessels that form in retinas of wet AMD patients, significantly improving visual acuity for most. By eliminating abnormal cells with Visudyne, visudyne may reduce or stop new vessels forming altogether in wet AMD cases.

Verteporfin combined with laser light can be used to effectively treat choroidal neovascularization associated with serious eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, pathologic myopia (extreme nearsightedness) and histoplasmosis. The most frequently reported side effect associated with its use is temporary reactions at injection sites; other side effects could include changes to vision or blurred vision.

After receiving this medication, it is vitally important that all direct sunlight or bright indoor lighting be avoided for at least five days post-administration. Direct sunlight will inactivate its effects; to ensure safe skin around eyes. If necessary, patients should wear sunglasses and dark clothing while going outside.

Eye Injections

Brolucizumab (Macugen) may slow vision loss among wet age-related macular degeneration patients, according to a recent study. This anti-angiogenic medication targets proteins that trigger abnormal blood vessel growth; injections into the eye deliver this medicine directly. Brolucizumab was tested over two years in two separate trials and in both studies its rate of vision loss was significantly slowed; for maximum effectiveness the dosage must be given every six weeks with safety and efficacy confirmed through third trial participation.

Wet age-related macular degeneration (neovascular AMD), also known as wet macular degeneration, occurs when fluid accumulates in the central portion of the retina due to abnormal blood vessels protruding between layers of cells within it. It can lead to severe vision loss within months and requires immediate medical intervention to stop further damage.

Eye injections are a straightforward outpatient clinic process conducted under sterile conditions. A drop of anaesthetic is used to numb the eye before applying a topical antiseptic solution that cleans its surface prior to injecting. Some mild pain is felt upon injecting, however this usually dissipates after several hours or as superficial bleeding occurs under the conjunctiva (outer lining of eye). Gritty or watery sensations may persist for 24-48 hours after injection and some floaters may remain present – these will eventually resolve.

Macugen has proven itself an effective way of treating wet macular degeneration since its approval in 2011 for use intravitreally; its action works by bonding to proteins that trigger abnormal blood vessel growth; these abnormal vessels contribute to macular degeneration and can eventually lead to permanent blindness if left untreated. Macugen has also been proven to slow down progression of this condition significantly.

Though more general eye doctors are now offering intravitreal injections, for optimal results it’s wise to visit a board-certified retina specialist. They possess vast experience with this procedure and know how to handle complications like bleeding, floaters and increased eye pressure effectively as well as being up-to-date on any new developments in this field.