Page 130 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition March-April 2024

growth fosters a healthier environment for
 Normalisation of Retinal Blood Vessels:
The uncontrolled growth of abnormal
blood vessels is halted, allowing the existing
healthy vasculature to function properly.
 Inhibition of New Blood Vessel Growth:
By effectively disabling VEGF, anti-VEGF
injections prevent the formation of new,
leaky blood vessels that could further
damage the retina.
 Reduction of Fluid Leakage: With VEGF's
influence neutralised, the leakage of fluids
within the retina is significantly reduced,
allowing the retinal tissue to heal and
function more effectively.
The combined effect of these actions
translates into tangible benefits for patients.
Anti-VEGF therapy can help:
 Preserve Central Vision: By preventing
further damage to the macula, the central
region responsible for sharp vision, anti-
VEGF therapy helps patients retain their
ability to see fine details.
 Improve Macular Health: The reduction of
fluid leakage and abnormal blood vessel
126 | THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | MAR-APR 2024
the macula to function optimally.
 Slow Disease Progression: Early
intervention with anti-VEGF therapy can
potentially slow down the progression
of retinal diseases, allowing patients to
maintain their vision for longer.
A DIVERSE ARSENAL: CHOOSING THE
RIGHT ANTI-VEGF AGENT
The fight against retinal diseases isn't one-
size-fits-all. Ophthalmologists have a diverse
arsenal of anti-VEGF agents at their disposal,
each with unique properties:
 Ranibizumab (Lucentis): A well-established
treatment for AMD and DME, Ranibizumab
requires more frequent injections (every
4-6 weeks) (figure 7).
 Aflibercept (Eylea): Offering broader anti-
angiogenic activity, Aflibercept injections
are typically administered less frequently
(every 8 weeks) (figure 8).
 Bevacizumab (Avastin): A most cost-
effective alternative, Bevacizumab
necessitates more frequent monitoring
due to potential side effects. It is being
used as “off-label” in many countries due to
lack of approval by the United States Food
& Drug Administration’s (US-FDA) (figure 9).
The choice of the most suitable anti-VEGF
agent depends on individual patient needs.
Factors like the specific disease, disease
severity, patient response to treatment,
and potential side effects are all carefully
FIGURE 5 - OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY
(OCT) B-SCAN OF WET AGE-RELATED MACULAR
DEGENERATION (AMD)
CLINICAL