Macular Degeneration Treatment: Purposes and Advantages of Injections
In the realm of eye health, macular degeneration is a significant concern, accounting for a substantial proportion of cases of blindness worldwide. This condition, which causes damage to the macula - a crucial part of the retina - can take two forms: dry and wet. The wet form, known for its potential to convert from the dry subtype, is particularly challenging to live with and may cause emotional distress.
Fortunately, there is a treatment that has proven effective in addressing wet macular degeneration: intravitreal injections. These injections, administered in a doctor's office or an operating room, are designed to inhibit the potency of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes the production of blood vessels.
Common medications used for these injections include anti-VEGF agents such as ranibizumab (Susvimo), aflibercept (Eylea), bevacizumab (Avastin), brolucizumab (Beovu), and faricimab (Vabysmo). These drugs have shown remarkable results in preventing vision loss.
For instance, ranibizumab (Susvimo) is delivered via a refillable ocular implant, providing continuous delivery and demonstrating sustained disease control and vision preservation over 5 years, with half of patients maintaining better than 20/40 vision. Aflibercept (Eylea), FDA-approved for wet AMD, is typically dosed every 8 weeks after loading doses and has shown the ability to block VEGF, reducing vessel growth and leakage, effectively slowing vision loss progression.
Bevacizumab (Avastin), used off-label, provides similar efficacy to Eylea but requires more frequent dosing (monthly injections). Other anti-VEGF agents like brolucizumab (Beovu) and faricimab (Vabysmo) also reduce leakage and abnormal vessel growth, contributing to stabilization or improvement in vision.
Intravitreal injections are considered the current gold standard treatment for wet AMD, significantly reducing the rate of severe vision loss by inhibiting abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage, thereby preserving or even improving visual acuity in many patients.
The procedure itself is straightforward, taking only a few moments. After the injection, the medical team may irrigate and lubricate the eye, and they may recommend avoiding certain activities such as gardening, swimming, wearing eye makeup, and rubbing the eyes for at least 24 hours.
However, like any medical procedure, intravitreal injections are not without risk. Potential complications include discomfort and pain as the anesthetic wears off, subconjunctival hemorrhage (eye bleeding), and in rare cases, other complications such as traumatic cataract, retinal tears, and endophthalmitis (a bacterial or fungal infection that affects the eye tissue).
To help make the procedure go smoothly, relaxing music, a comfortable neck pillow, allowing someone to hold hands, and a verbal warning just before the injection can be beneficial. Additionally, seeking support and mental health care can help address any complications or concerns surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration.
Symptoms of wet macular degeneration include blurred vision, visual distortions, and blind spots. If you experience these symptoms, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional promptly. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the symptoms of wet macular degeneration can be managed, and the risk of vision loss can be lowered.
[1] American Macular Degeneration Foundation. (2021). Intravitreal Injections for Wet AMD. Retrieved from https://www.macular.org/intravitreal-injections-wet-amd
[2] National Eye Institute. (2021). Intravitreal Injections. Retrieved from https://nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/treatment
[3] Allergan. (2021). Susvimo Prescribing Information. Retrieved from https://www.allergan.com/-/media/files/pi/uspi/susvimo/susvimo-pi.pdf
[4] Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. (2021). Eylea Prescribing Information. Retrieved from https://www.regeneron.com/-/media/files/pdfs/eylea/eylea-pi.pdf
[5] Roche. (2021). Lucentis Prescribing Information. Retrieved from https://www.roche.com/media/releases/medical_research/2021-01-28-Lucentis-approved-for-long-term-treatment-of-wet-AMD-with-the-Sustained-Delivery-System-Susvimo.pdf
- People living with wet macular degeneration, a chronic disease that can lead to blindness, may find solace in intravitreal injections, a treatment proven effective in addressing this condition.
- These injections, administered regularly, are designed to combat vascular endothellial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that promotes the growth of abnormal blood vessels associated with macular degeneration.
- Anti-VEGF agents like ranibizumab (Susvimo), aflibercept (Eylea), bevacizumab (Avastin), brolucizumab (Beovu), and faricimab (Vabysmo) are commonly used in these injections.
- For instance, ranibizumab (Susvimo) has demonstrated sustained disease control and vision preservation over 5 years, with half of patients maintaining better than 20/40 vision.
- Aflibercept (Eylea), FDA-approved for wet AMD, is dosed every 8 weeks and has shown the ability to block VEGF, thereby slowing vision loss progression.
- Seekers of health and wellness, including those affected by cancer or other mental-health conditions, should consult a healthcare professional if they experience symptoms of wet macular degeneration, such as blurred vision, visual distortions, and blind spots.
- After the procedure, which is straightforward and brief, patients may be advised to avoid certain activities and follow post-injection care instructions for their eye-health.
- Ensuring mental health care is part of the treatment plan can help address the emotional distress caused by living with macular degeneration and navigating the sometimes complex scientific landscape of chronic diseases.
