Back to Journals » Clinical Ophthalmology » Volume 3

Treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: Current therapies

Authors Augustin A , Scholl S, Kirchhof J

Published 11 January 2009 Volume 2009:3 Pages 175—182

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S3926

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4



Albert J Augustin, Stefan Scholl, Janna Kirchhof

Department of Ophthalmology, Klinikum Karlsruhe, Germany

Abstract: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is now the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss among people over the age of 40 in the Western world. Its prevalence is certain to increase substantially as the population ages. Treatments currently available for the disease include laser photocoagulation, verteporfin photodynamic therapy, and intravitreal injections of corticosteroids and anti-angiogenic agents. Many studies have reported the benefits of each of these treatments, although none is without its risks. No intervention actually cures AMD, nor the neovascularization associated with it. However, its symptoms are treated with varying degrees of success. Some treatments stabilize or arrest the progress of the disease. Others have been shown to reverse some of the damage that has already been done. These treatments can even lead to visual improvement. This paper will review the major classes of drugs and therapies designed to treat this condition.

Keywords: wet AMD, neovascularization, PDT, steroids, anti-angiogenesis

Creative Commons License © 2009 The Author(s). This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.