Looking beyond Lucentis on the management of macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. In the past decade, AMD research has improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of the condition. There is no doubt that anti-VEGF therapies will play a major role in the reduction of blindness, but it needs close monitoring and frequent treatments. In this review we summarise the key pathophysiology of the condition and some of the new treatment strategies under development.


METHODS
Literature review.


RESULTS
Oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia, and angiogenesis are key pathophysiological processes in AMD, this diversity has provided a variety of possible areas amenable to modification to enhance the treatment options for AMD.
Fletcher
E C
EC
Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Chong
N V
NV
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D035843:Biomedical Research; D001766:Blindness / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000069579:Ranibizumab