Anti-VEGF are drugs that come from the pharmaceutical industry and work to block the VEGF protein, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor or Vascular Endothelial Growth, of the body. Primarily, anti-VEGFs are prescribed for people suffering from diabetic macular edema.
VEGF is a protein produced by the body that promotes the growth of blood vessels. The application of anti-VEGF is carried out to stop the activity of these cells, since an excess production of blood vessels can lead to their abnormal production and lead to diseases of the retina compromising vision.
The administration of anti-VEGF has shown excellent results for the treatment of Diabetic retinopathy and Wet DMAE.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We explain below what anti-VEGF drugs are and what they are used for.
What is anti-VEGF treatment?
Anti-VEGF drugs work in the body by blocking the production of vascular endothelial growth protein, which stimulates the production of blood vessels when the body requires it.
The VEGF protein increases its presence in the body when the person suffers from certain eye conditions associated with the appearance of new vessels (neovessels).
Sometimes cells can make too much VEGF protein, and when this happens, there is an increased risk of abnormal blood vessels growing in the ocular structure.
Abnormal blood vessels can significantly impair the eye and vision, even causing blindness.
What diseases does anti-VEGF treat?
Anti-VEGF therapy is prescribed primarily for the treatment of DMAE wet and the Diabetic retinopathy. Both diseases are considered as important causes of blindness in the world.
- La DMAE is a vascular disease that affects the taint, the central part of the retina Responsible for central vision and detail perception. Wet AMD is the least common form of macular degeneration, but it is the most aggressive and, therefore, it is necessary to act quickly and with the correct treatment to stop the Sight loss.
- La Diabetic retinopathy It is a condition that occurs due to the deterioration of the blood vessels that supply the retina. When blood vessels are damaged, there is a risk of blood fluid leaking or spilling. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by high blood glucose levels.
How are anti-VEGF drugs given?
Treatment with anti-VEGF drugs is done through intravitreal injections, that is, they are placed in the vitreous of the eye.
Injections must be applied by a medical specialist and the amount or frequency of injections vary according to the health status of each patient and the disease they suffer from.
Main anti-VEGF drugs
In the pharmaceutical industry there are various types of anti-VEGF drugs, but the best known are:
- Macugen (Pegaptanib): was the first VEGF blocker and was approved to treat wet AMD. Macugen offers to stop the degenerative process of vision in 65% of cases. Importantly, the medication slows vision loss, but does not restore or improve it.
- Avastin (bevacizumab): is designed for the treatment of cancer. Various studies have shown that it is as effective and safe for treating AMD as the others. It is possibly the most widely used medication today.
- Lucentis (ranibizumab): It is a derivative of Avastin and was designed to treat wet AMD. Lucentis is an excellent medication to stabilize vision.
- Eylea (aflibercept): is a fusion protein against proliferation of VEGF and PIGF (placental growth factor). Both factors are increased in neovascular AMD.
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