Neovascular age-related macular degeneration and anti-VEGF nonresponders

Abstract

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration is responsible for the overwhelming majority of vision loss in age-related macular degeneration. Not too long ago, the disease was poorly controlled with few treatment options. Today, angiogenesis is the central focus in the pathogenesis of this disease, with VEGF identified as a major mediator of this process. These advances have opened the door for targeted anti-VEGF therapy, leading to significant improvements in visual outcomes for a majority of patients. There is, however, a portion of the population that responds poorly to initial treatment with little explanation as to why this occurs. Combination therapies are now being investigated to tackle anti-VEGF monotherapy nonresponders.

Keywords::

• age-related macular degeneration
• combination therapy
• VEGF nonresponder

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Kevin J Blinder and Gaurav K Shah have, in the past, recived honararia from Novartis for speaking arrangments and advisory board activites. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.