Anti-VEGF agents for ocular angiogenesis and vascular permeability

We review articles describing intravitreal injection of anti-vegf drug trials,while discussing the mechanisms of the action of anti-vegf antibodies,and also evaluating their outcomes. intraocular injections of anti-vegf drug are considered to be an effective treatment for macular edema after retinal vein occlusion,however,recurrent/persistent edema is common. the recent reports may lead to a shift in treatment paradigm for dme,from laser photocoagulation,to newer approaches using anti-vegf drugs. there have been several well-publicized prospective,randomized studies that demonstrated the efficacy of intravitreal injection of anti-vegf drugs for patients with amd. adjuvant bevacizumab for neovascular glaucoma may prevent further pas formation,and it is likely to open up a therapeutic window for a panretinal photocoagulation and trabeculectomy. intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (ivb) results in a substantial decrease in bleeding from the retinal vessels or new vessels during a standard vitrectomy. ivb has also been reported to be effective for inducing the regression of new vessels in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. the use of bevacizumab in stage 4 or 5 retinopahty of permaturity (rop) is to reduce the plus sign to help reduce hemorrhage during the subsequent vitrectomy. some authors reported cases of resolution of stage 4 a rop after bevacizumab injection. © 2012 kenichi kimoto and toshiaki kubota.