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ANTI-VEGF INJECTIONS
             INJECTIONS CONTAIN
             SPECIALISED DRUGS THAT
             BIND TO VEGF RECEPTORS,
             ESSENTIALLY BLOCKING VEGF'S
             ABILITY TO WREAK HAVOC




            Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
              Scans: This imaging technique provides a
              detailed cross-sectional view of the retina,
              allowing the ophthalmologist to monitor         FIGURE 11 - OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (OCT)
              changes in fluid accumulation and overall
              retinal health.                                 of retinal disease, optometrists can promptly

            Intraocular Pressure Monitoring: A potential     refer patients to ophthalmologists for further
              side effect of some anti-VEGF agents is an      evaluation and potential treatment with anti-
              increase in intraocular pressure. Regular       VEGF injections. This collaborative approach
              monitoring allows for early detection and       between optometrists and ophthalmologists
              intervention if necessary.                      ensures patients receive timely and effective
                                                              treatment.
          A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH:
          OPTOMETRISTS AS PARTNERS IN                         REFERENCES
          VISION CARE                                         1.   Rosenfeld PJ, Brown DM, Heier JS, et al.
                                                                  Ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular
             Optometrists play a vital role in the fight          degeneration. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(14):1419-1431.
          against retinal diseases. Often the first point         doi:10.1056/NEJMoa054481
          of contact for patients experiencing vision         2.  Nguyen QD, Brown DM, Marcus DM, et al.
          problems, they can play a crucial role in               Ranibizumab for diabetic macular edema: results
          early detection through comprehensive eye               from 2 phase III randomised trials: RISE and RIDE.
          examinations. By recognising the early signs            Ophthalmology. 2012;119(4):789-801. doi:10.1016/j.
                                                                  ophtha.2011.12.039

                                                              3.  Brown DM, Michels M, Kaiser PK, Heier JS, Sy JP,
                                                                  Ianchulev T; ANCHOR Study Group. Ranibizumab
                                                                  versus verteporfin photodynamic therapy for
                                                                  neovascular age-related macular degeneration:
                                                                  two-year results of the ANCHOR study.
                                                                  Ophthalmology. 2009;116(1):57-65.e5. doi:10.1016/j.
                                                                  ophtha.2008.10.018
                                                              4.  Wells JA, Glassman AR, Ayala AR, et al; Diabetic
                                                                  Retinopathy Clinical Research Network.
                                                                  Aflibercept, bevacizumab, or ranibizumab
                                                                  for diabetic macular edema. N Engl J Med.
                                                                  2015;372(13):1193-1203. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1414264
                                                              5.  Campochiaro PA, Heier JS, Feiner L, et al.
                                                                  Ranibizumab for macular edema following
                                                                  branch retinal vein occlusion: six-month
                                                                  primary end point results of a phase III study.
                                                                  Ophthalmology. 2010;117(6):1102-1112.e1. doi:10.1016/j.
                                                                  ophtha.2010.02.021


      130 | THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | MAR-APR 2024                                                             CLINICAL
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