Horani M, Mahmood S, Aslam TM. A Review of Macular Atrophy of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: What is the Link? Part II.
Ophthalmol Ther 2020;
9:35-75. [PMID:
31907843 PMCID:
PMC7054566 DOI:
10.1007/s40123-019-00227-8]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
To explore the potential link between macular atrophy (MA) of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment.
Methods
Through a balanced overview of the field from a largely clinical perspective, we looked at available evidence on the topic of MA correlation with anti-VEGF therapy and examined possible risk factors for MA development in the context of nAMD treatment with anti-VEGF.
Results
Links have been reported to connect both MA incidence and progression to treatment frequency and to the anti-VEGF drug type.
Conclusions
All reports agree on the fact that de novo development of MA in anti-VEGF-treated eyes is frequent and multifactorial. Research data shows an expansion of atrophy during anti-VEGF treatment. There are mixed conclusions about the correlation of MA incidence or progression with treatment-related risk factors. It mostly appears that there is no straightforward link. More clinical research is still needed to further understand this association.
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