Lucentis, also known as ranibizumab, is a medication that was initially used to treat the wet form of age-related macular degeneration since 2006. Age-related macular degeneration affects the macula, the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision. Now Lucentis is also used for swelling in the macula, or macular edema, which can occur from a vein occlusion or diabetes. Lucentis blocks the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, a protein that causes abnormal blood vessels to grow and leak, damaging the macula. By blocking VEGF, Lucentis aids in the prevention and reversal of vision loss experienced by patients with macular edema. Lucentis was designed specifically for use in the eye.
There are known side-effects in the use of Lucentis which include retinal detachment, increased intraocular pressure, intraocular inflammation, and infection.
Avastin, also known as bevacizumab, is a medication that is also used to treat swelling in the macula due to wet age-related macular degeneration, vein occlusion, or diabetes. The macula is the part of the eye that is responsible for central reading vision. Avastin works by blocking the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, a protein that causes abnormal blood vessels to grow and damage the macula. Avastin has been shown to improve vision for a variety of retinal conditions.
Originally developed to treat metastatic colorectal cancer, Avastin is FDA-approved for that purpose. Studies have shown that Avastin can effectively be used to treat wet macular degeneration, and macular edema from diabetes or a vein occlusion.
Eylea, also known as aflibercept, is a medication that was first used to treat the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. It is now used for swelling in the macula, or macular edema, due to vein occlusion or diabetes.
Eylea also blocks vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, a protein that causes abnormal blood vessels to grow and leak, damaging the macula. By slowing VEGF, Eylea aids in the prevention and reversal of vision loss experienced by those patients with macular degeneration.
There are known side-effects in the use of Eylea which include retinal detachment, increased intraocular pressure, intraocular inflammation, and infection.
Jetrea, also known as ocriplasmin, is a medication used for treatment of vitreomacular traction and macular holes. A macular hole is a defect in the center of the macula, the part of the eye that provides central reading vision. Vitreomacular traction is a condition where the vitreous gel has not completely separated from the retina resulting in tension on the retina. Jetrea is a shortened form of plasmin, a proteolytic enzyme that induces liquefaction of the vitreous, the gel like substance that fills the inside of the eye. This allows the vitreous to separate from the retina which aids in closure of the macular hole or, in the case of vitreomacular traction, releases the tension on the retina. Jetrea is an intravitreal injection that can be given in the office.
Triesence, also known as triamcinolone acetonide, is a steroid medication designed for use in the eye. Steroids are used throughout medicine and extensively in ophthalmology. Triessence is used to treat swelling of the macula, or macular edema, from conditions such as diabetes, vein occlusions, and, less frequently, age-related macular degeneration. The macula is the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision. Triessence is also used to treat inflammation of the eye or uveitis.
Ozurdex, also known as the dexamethasone intravitreal implant, is a steroid implant designed for use in the eye. Steroids are used throughout medicine and extensively in ophthalmology. Ozurdex is used to treat swelling of the macula, or macular edema, from conditions such as diabetes and vein occlusions. The macula is the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision. Ozurdex is also used to treat inflammation of the eye or uveitis. The Ozurdex implant can be injected into the eye in the office using local anesthesia.
Iluvien, also known as the fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant, is a steroid implant designed for use in the eye. Steroids are used throughout medicine and extensively in ophthalmology. Iluvien is used to treat swelling of the macula (macular edema) from diabetes. The macula is the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision. The Iluvien implant can be injected into the eye in the office using local anesthesia.
