Established in 1974, Retina Associates specializes in state of the art care in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of diseases involving the retina, vitreous, and macula. Led by Cameron Javid, MD, Retina Associates participates in numerous national clinical trials to identify appropriate and effective treatments, including those for wet age-related macular degeneration. Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye disorder caused by abnormal blood vessels that lead to blood or fluid leaks into the macula. This condition can result in blurred vision or a blind spot in a person’s visual field. After years of research, it was revealed that some people with AMD secrete too much protein in their retina, causing direct damage to the existing blood vessels. This protein is known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). As a result, anti-VEGF medications are directly injected into the eye to inhibit the excess production of the VEGF protein. There are five types of anti-VEGF medicines, namely: Macugen, which uses a drug known as pegaptanib sodium. This medication was the first one available but is not used anymore Beovu uses a drug known as brolucizumab Eylea, which uses a drug called aflibercept Avastin uses a drug known as bevacizumab, and Lucentis uses a drug called ranibizumab.

1. Treating Wet Age-Related Macular
Degeneration Using Anti-VEGFs
Retina Associates

2. Introduction
Established in 1974, Retina Associates specializes in state of the art care in the
diagnosis, management, and treatment of diseases involving the retina, vitreous,
and macula. Led by Cameron Javid, MD, Retina Associates participates in
numerous national clinical trials to identify appropriate and effective
treatments, including those for wet age-related macular degeneration.

3. Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye disorder
caused by abnormal blood vessels that lead to blood or fluid leaks into the
macula. This condition can result in blurred vision or a blind spot in a
person’s visual field. After years of research, it was revealed that some
people with AMD secrete too much protein in their retina, causing direct
damage to the existing blood vessels. This protein is known as vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

4. As a result, anti-VEGF medications are directly injected into the eye to
inhibit the excess production of the VEGF protein. There are five types of
anti-VEGF medicines, namely:

5. Macugen, which uses a drug known as pegaptanib sodium. This medication
was the first one available but is not used anymore

6. Beovu uses a drug known as brolucizumab
Eylea, which uses a drug called aflibercept
Avastin uses a drug known as bevacizumab, and
Lucentis uses a drug called ranibizumab.