Review of Anti-VEGF Therapy in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a visually significant complication of diabetes mellitus. Pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) remains the standard treatment of choice. However, adverse effects of and clinical barriers to PRP have led to exploration of alternative and adjunctive therapeutic strategies in the treatment of proliferative disease. Inhibition of ocular vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has emerged as a promising treatment modality for PDR. This review summarizes results from published studies using intravitreal anti-VEGF agents singly and in combination with standard therapeutic regimens in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Keywords:

• proliferative diabetic retinopathy
• anti-VEGF treatment
• vascular endothelial growth factor