Age-related macular degeneration is one of the main causes of severe vision loss among adults over 50. At its early stages, macular degeneration often does not present with symptoms but can still be detected with an annual eye exam.

Patients suffering from the wet form of the disease typically notice a dark spot at the center of their vision, and can be treated using drugs that stop new blood vessel growth and leakage.

Macugen

Macugen is an eye medication injected intravitreally for treating wet age-related macular degeneration. Part of a new class of anti-angiogenic medications designed to block new blood vessel growth in the eye and decrease macular edema, Macugen has proven successful in some clinical trials; its use led to patients seeing improvements in their vision.

Macugen targets vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF. VEGF plays an integral part in the formation of abnormal blood vessels which leak fluid and form scar tissue, ultimately leading to macular degeneration. Macugen can be taken via an intravitreal injection once every six weeks and works by binding to and blocking VEGF’s activity, ultimately decreasing eye fluid build-up while improving vision.

Macugen was recently used in a clinical trial conducted at Oregon Health & Science University’s Casey Eye Institute to treat wet macular degeneration; the Phase III trial included 1,168 participants at 115 centers worldwide and found that 70 percent of those receiving Macugen met its goal of limiting vision loss to three lines or less on an eye chart, compared to 55 percent who did not take it.

Though macular degeneration cannot be cured, the drug offers hope to patients whose central vision has yet to be lost. Researchers continue exploring other treatments for macular degeneration including antioxidant vitamins and supplements; however, these may not be as effective.

Visudyne

Visudyne is one of a new class of medications, similar to Macugen, Avastin and Lucentis in that it targets proteins responsible for abnormal blood vessel growth. Administered via injection directly into the eye, Visudyne has shown promise in slowing vision loss among some macular degeneration patients – providing hope to those living with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).

Wet AMD occurs when tiny blood vessels form and leak fluid into the retina, distorting central vision in both eyes. This makes reading or driving difficult. Wet AMD accounts for around 90% of vision loss associated with macular degeneration – which is the leading cause of severe vision loss among those over 50 in Western countries and can range from mild dimming or distortion to total loss of central vision.

Macular degeneration occurs when cells within the macula of an eye begin to break down. This process can be delayed or stopped through vitamins and supplements taken or medical procedures such as laser therapy or injections of special medication – treatments which typically only take minutes at an eye doctor’s office.

Photodynamic therapy is another proven strategy to combat macular degeneration. This painless procedure exposes patients to light waves while wearing special goggles; then medications injected directly into the eye are activated upon coming into contact with light waves, being absorbed by blood vessels in the retina that then close up, thus stopping new blood vessel formation that can lead to macular degeneration and other eye diseases.

Verteporfin is an injectable medication used in combination with laser light therapy to treat abnormal growth of leaky blood vessels in the eye due to wet age-related macular degeneration, pathologic myopia or histoplasmosis. Unfortunately, this medicine may not be appropriate for everyone as some conditions such as porphyria or allergy might prevent its use.

Lucentis

Lucentis is an innovative treatment for wet form macular degeneration, which is a condition that can result in permanent vision loss. It works by blocking abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage underneath the retina to stop scar tissue formation that damages light-sensitive cells of the macula. Numerous studies have revealed that those taking Lucentis regularly may see significant improvements in their vision such as being able to drive, read or recognize faces more easily than before.

This eye medication is administered via intraocular injection and only a small amount reaches your bloodstream, thus making it unlikely to interact with other medicines or supplements taken, although it’s important to inform your physician of all of the medicines taken, including prescription, nonprescription, vitamins and herbal remedies that you use. If you are allergic to penicillin or another antibiotic drug, however, this drug should not be taken.

Lucentis is administered via injection directly into the eye, where it blocks activity of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). This naturally-occurring substance in our bodies encourages abnormal blood vessel formation under the retina. Lucentis is now the fourth anti-VEGF medication approved by FDA for treating wet age-related macular degeneration – these others being Avastin, Eylea and off-label Avastin.

Before, only laser treatment and diet could effectively treat wet macular degeneration. Now, Lucentis may also be combined with laser therapy to enhance quality of life for patients living with this condition. Lucentis should be listed on the PBS next year at an anticipated subsidised price of $38 per injection.

Lucentis has also been proven to help reduce vision loss from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, an advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. Clinical trials conducted on 10 patients treated with Lucentis showed at least two lines improvement on their eye chart – this represents significant progress for these individuals who often experience severe vision loss from this disease. If at risk for proliferative diabetic retinopathy, patients should seek care from a certified specialist as soon as possible.

Susvimo

Susvimo is an innovative treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is a refillable implant designed to deliver anti-VEGF medication ranibizumab directly into the eye, making this first-of-its-kind product superior to injectable drugs such as Lucentis. Implant insertion takes only minutes outpatient procedure followed by refills every six months for better patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes and reduced infection risks.

Studies conducted over two years showed that an implant significantly reduced eye injections required to maintain vision for people living with wet AMD by more than half. Furthermore, this implant reduced supplemental treatments such as laser surgery or medications that block blood flow directly to retina. It was approved by the FDA last October and will be released for sale next month.

Anti-VEGF therapies have the power to significantly enhance vision for many patients with neovascular wet AMD, but frequent clinic visits for eye injections make obtaining optimal visual outcomes challenging. Some patients only receive three to five treatments annually due to scheduling challenges – some are even likely to opt-out altogether due to scheduling conflicts or expense of scheduling injection appointments.

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This new implant offers an improved method to deliver ranibizumab, an anti-VEGF medication which blocks blood vessels in the eye, thereby decreasing multiple injections needed and potentially improving vision in those suffering from neovascular wet age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmologists across both America and Australia can access this implant.

Ocular implant technology could prove game-changing for wet age-related macular degeneration management. Clinical trials showed significant increases in vision compared to conventional therapy with bevacizumab and ranibizumab; thus providing significant relief to patients living with vision loss due to wet macular degeneration – the most prevalent form of macular degeneration.