title: [Monitoring of AMD patients on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment. Practical notes on functional and anatomical examination parameters from drug approval studies, specialist information and case series].
abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common causes of blindness in western industrialised nations. Most AMD patients suffer from the dry early form of AMD; however, wet AMD with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the main cause of blindness in all AMD patients. New prospects have been developed in AMD treatment using pharmacological methods available for treating all subtypes of exudative AMD. A number of inhibiting and inducing growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are particularly important in the pathophysiology of wet AMD. The secreted VEGF appears to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of CNV and macular edemas as a result of its angiogenetic and permeability-enhancing effect. This recognition led to the treatment approach now used, i.e., competitive VEGF blocking through intravitreal adminsitration of anti-VEGF drugs. The anti-VEGF durgs lead to a rapid decrease in retinal thickness. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a valuable monitoring tool, but may only be used to assist in decision-making. Clinical follow-up of patients and further treatment recommendations must always be guided by the overall clinical picture. Visual acuity is regarded as the decisive criterion for repeat treatment.
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Strasse 2, 53127, Bonn, Germany. carsten_h.meyer@ukb.uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: H-M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Helb
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000077362:Verteporfin; C495058:pegaptanib; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab