The FDA has approved aflibercept (a flib’ er sept; Eylea – Regeneron) for treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

WET AMD — About 10% of patients with AMD have the neovascular form, characterized by an often rapid decrease in central visual acuity due to newly developed leaky vessels growing from the choroid toward the subretinal space. The principal mediator of neovascularization in wet AMD is thought to be vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which induces angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability and inflammation. Treatment of wet AMD with intravitreal injection of VEGF inhibitors has slowed the course of the disease and in some patients has led to the recovery of lost vision.

VEGF INHIBITORS — The standard VEGF inhibitor for treatment of wet AMD is the recombinant, humanized monoclonal antibody fragment ranibizumab (Lucentis ... more      

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