Frank Siringo, M.D., O.D., chief of vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at Omni Eye Specialists in Denver, reviews the current treatments for wet AMD, including anti-VEGF drugs.

Wet AMD Treatment

Today's treatment options for wet age-related macular degeneration are more effective than ever. 

What Treatments Are Available for Wet AMD?

What Every Person Over 50 Needs to Know About AMD

Current treatments for wet AMD include four approved drugs. They're all in the same class, and we call them anti-VEGF. VEGF is a molecule that promotes the growth of these abnormal blood vessels we see in wet AMD. So, the anti-VEGF drugs, which we inject into the eye, are very, very good at blocking that molecule, and they do so for at least a month. Sometimes after prolonged treatment, patients can go many months without another injection. In the past, we used to use lasers, so-called hot and cold lasers for AMD, and those treatments were far inferior.

In the future, in the very near future, there will likely be some surgical options for wet AMD as well. These will essentially deliver the same VEGF-inhibiting drugs over a sustained basis so that patients don't have to get monthly injections. There are also some other drugs in the pipeline that will be long-term polymers, or these sort-of molecules that dissolve over a long period of time, to minimize the need for treatments.


Browse All Conditions

Bipolar Disorder

Breast Cancer

Cancer

COPD

Crohn's Disease

Depression

Menopause

Multiple Sclerosis

Psoriasis

Psoriatic Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ulcerative Colitis

HEALTH  CONDITIONS & TOPICS

Caregiving

Food & Nutrition

Fitness & Exercise

Health Care & Insurance

Men's Health

Women's Health

HEALTHY LIVING 

Encyclopedia

News

Newsletter

RESOURCES

Ask A Question

Global Header