ANTI VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (VEGF THERAPY)

Abstract

Anti-VEGF therapy is a therapy used to treat eye diseases associated with abnormal growth of blood vessel and their splashing into the retina. Abnormal blood vessels are often occur with wet (neovascular) form of macular degeneration and other retinal vascular diseases that can lead to serious vision problems and with blindess if it’s not treated on time. Vascular endothelial growth factor is a protein that is naturally found in the body and participates in the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis).
Angiogenesis isn’t important for proper wound healing, however, the increased VEGF activity will lead to the formation of new blood vessels that will be pathologically altered and will cause damage to the retina, which can lead to permanent vision loss. Diseases that are treated with this therapy are the wet form of macular degeneration, which is one of the various causes of vision loss in older people. In addition to macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy can damage blood vessels.
This damage occurs as a results of high blood sugar levels. Retinal vein occlusion also causes vision loss due to occlusion to the rethinal vein and fluid accumulation.
Vascular entothelial factor increases the risk of developing new abnormal vessels in response to the occlusion. Other diseases where anti VEGF therapy is used include corneal and choroidal neovascularization and certain types of retinal dystrophies.
Anti-VEGF-therapy works by inhibiting vascular endothelial factor, that is preventing from binding to receptors on endothelial cells, cells that line blood vessels, whit that is stopping formation of new abnormal blood vessels. Some of the most commonly used drugs are: Ranibizumab (Lucentis), Afliberecept (Eylea), Bevacizumab (Avastin). These drugs are administered in the form of injection directly into the eye – intravitreal injections. These drugs provide rapid and effective action in the retina. This therapy has minimal side effects.