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Effect of Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapy on the Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy

  • Diabetic Retinopathy: Medical and Surgical Therapies (Jorge Fortun, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common complication of diabetes and a significant cause of preventable blindness throughout the world. It is characterized by increased vascular permeability, retinal ischemia, and the formation of neovascularization, which can lead to complications such as vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and macular edema. The current standard of care for treating diabetic retinopathy is pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP). While highly effective, PRP is associated with several inherent disadvantages, including delayed onset of treatment effects. Within the past decade, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents have revolutionized the treatment of several retinal diseases, including diabetic macular edema, for which anti-VEGF agents are now accepted as first-line treatment. In contrast, the effects of anti-VEGF therapy on the severity of diabetic retinopathy alone are still largely unexplored. This review aims to summarize our current understanding of the effects and uses of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents in diabetic retinopathy.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, New York, NY 10022.

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  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Southern California Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1450 San Pablo Street, Suite 4900, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Esther Lee Kim

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Southern California Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1450 San Pablo Street, Suite 4700, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Andrew A. Moshfeghi

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Correspondence to Andrew A. Moshfeghi.

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Andrew Moshfeghi has been a consultant for Genentech, Inc., Alexion, Inc., Allergan, Inc., Alimera, Inc., Optos, Inc., Regeneron, Inc., and Visunex, Inc. He is a consultant for and has an equity position in OptiSTENT, Inc., and Visunex, Inc. He declares personal fees from Regeneron, grants and personal fees from Genentech, personal fees from Allergan, and personal fees from Alimera outside the submitted work. Dr. Esther Kim declares that she has no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Diabetic Retinopathy: Medical and Surgical Therapies.

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Kim, E.L., Moshfeghi, A.A. Effect of Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapy on the Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy. Curr Ophthalmol Rep 4, 61–70 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40135-016-0094-z

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