Page 128 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition March-April 2024
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ANTI-VEGF
INJECTIONS:
REVOLUTIONISING RETINAL CARE
he diagnosis of a vision-threatening retinal disease
SANJAY K MISHRA can be disturbing. However, Anti-VEGF injections
Tare the game-changers for patients suffering
from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and
THIS ARTICLE WAS JOINTLY diabetic macular edema (DME), offering new hope
COMPILED BY for preserving vision (figures 1-6). Unlike traditional
SANJAY K. MISHRA, treatments that may address symptoms but not the
Scientist, Dr. R. P. Centre for underlying cause, anti-VEGF therapy offers a targeted
Ophthalmic Sciences, All India approach, directly attacking the root of the problem.
Institute of Medical Sciences
(AIIMS), New Delhi UNDERSTANDING THE VILLIAN: VEGF AND ITS
MAJ. GEN. (DR.) TEJINDER S. DESTRUCTIVE INFLUENCE
AHLUWALIA,
Professor and Head of Department At the core of many retinal diseases lies a villianous
of Ophthalmology, NIMS University protein called vascular endothelial growth factor
Rajasthan, Jaipur (VEGF). VEGF plays a crucial role in healthy blood
vessel growth, but in the eye, its overactivity becomes
DR. ROHAN CHAWLA,
Additional Professor of destructive. Uncontrolled VEGF production triggers the
Ophthalmology, Dr. R. P. Centre formation of abnormal new blood vessels in the retina.
for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India These abnormal vessels are weak and leaky, causing
Institute of Medical Sciences fluid to accumulate and badly affect the retina's
(AIIMS), New Delhi
function. This results in blurring of vision, distortion
SURESH K. YADAV, Scientist, (metamorphopsia), and sometimes, complete loss of
Dr R P Centre for Ophthalmic vision if not managed well.
Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi
HOW CAN ANTI-VEGF INJECTIONS SPOIL THE
RAJESH KUMAR, Senior VILLIAN'S PLOT?
Optometrist, PGIMS, University of
Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana
Anti-VEGF injections act as highly trained assassins
BHAWANI SINGH MEENA targeting the villianous VEGF. These injections
Scientist, Dr. R. P. Centre for contain specialised drugs that bind to VEGF receptors,
Ophthalmic Sciences, All India essentially blocking VEGF's ability to wreak havoc.
Institute of Medical Sciences
(AIIMS), New Delhi By neutralising VEGF's influence, anti-VEGF therapy
achieves several critical goals:
124 | THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | MAR-APR 2024 CLINICAL
