Treatment of Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

ABSTRACT

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is characterized by both primary and secondary damage of macular retinal pigment epithelial cell, resulting in the formation of drusen, choroidal neovascularization, and atrophy of photoreceptors and choriocapillaris layer of the choroid. After ARMD becomes exudative, laser photocoagulation, transpupillary thermotherapy, photodynamic therapy, intravitreal steroid injection, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection, and surgical intervention are treatments to control choroidal neovascularization. In photodynamic therapy, a light-sensitive drug is administered by intravenous infusion and activated by a low-powered laser. Activated photosensitizer induces occlusion of the pathologic vasculature. Pegatanib, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab are anti-angiogenic agents, inhibiting the formation of neovascular membranes to prevent further development of the condition and to improve vision. This is thought to be due to the inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor.