Safety and efficacy of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections for age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To report the safety and efficacy of intravitreal injections for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


RESULTS
Injecting antivascular endothelial growth factor drugs into the vitreal cavity brings new hope to many AMD patients. Currently, several antivascular endothelial growth factor drugs such as pegaptanib, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab are used via the intravitreal route for neovascular AMD. However, these injections are not without ocular or systemic complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Review of current literature suggests that intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor agents are generally a safe and effective treatment for neovascular AMD for up to 2-3 years. Presently, there is level I evidence to substantiate this conclusion for pegaptanib and ranibizumab, but not bevacizumab.
Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. vswetha@ausdoctors.net
V Swetha E
VS
Jeganathan
Nitin
N
Verma
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C495058:pegaptanib; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab