title: Optimising the management of choroidal neovascularisation in Asian patients: consensus on treatment recommendations for anti-VEGF therapy.
abstract: In Asian countries, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), specifically wet AMD or choroidal neovascularisation (CNV), is an important cause of blindness and visual handicap. Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) play an integral role in the development of CNV and thus provide an important therapeutic target. Current treatment paradigms for neovascular AMD recognise the place of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the management of this condition. However, combination therapy targeting different pathways to produce a synergistic effect may result in improved visual outcomes and reduced duration of treatment. Anti-VEGF therapy has greatly improved treatment outcomes in patients with CNV, and a growing body of evidence supports the role of these agents as monotherapy or in combination with PDT. In particular, anti-VEGF may be a first-line treatment option in certain types of subfoveal myopic CNV as well as for classic and occult juxtafoveal and subfoveal CNV. The implementation of evidence-based medicine into current clinical practice is paramount to improving patient care. The authors, who are also members of the Singapore Medical Retina Advisory Board, outline the consensus points and recommended treatment algorithms based on currently available knowledge to provide a structured management approach to the treatment of Asian patients with CNV.
authors.affiliation: Eye and Retina Surgeons, Camden Medical Centre, 1 Orchard Boulevard, Singapore 248649. ahckoh@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Au Eong
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chee
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001208:Asia; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009216:Myopia; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000069579:Ranibizumab