Abstract
Intravitreal injections of antibodies blocking VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) are an effective treatment for the wet form of age-related macular degeneration, macular edema in retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema, and choroidal neovascular membranes in less frequent macular diseases. A blockade of VEGF leads to interference of the permeability of retinal and choroidal blood vessels, angiogenesis, cytokine production and influences the inflammatory response.
There are currently 2 approved anti-VEGF drugs (ranibizumab and aflibercept), with a multicentre, randomized, clinical trial showing a positive clinical effect as well as a good safety profile.