New VEGF Inhibitor Drugs Treat Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy patients may benefit from the new macular degeneration drugs. Studies are under way.There are several clinical studies underway evaluating the use of VEGF inhibitor drugs for treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy. The outcomes of these studies are very encouraging for those patients suffering from diabetic macular edema. VEGF inhibitors, (Anti-VEGFs) are drugs that have been used for the treatment of wet macular degeneration (AMD) since 2005. Recently, ophthalmologists have had great success in treating diabetic retinopathy patients with the injectable drug. Anti-VEGF drugs work by blocking or suppressing the formation of abnormal new blood vessel growth in the retina -- the light-sensitive, multi-layered tissue that lines the back of the eyeball. These abnormal new blood vessels leak and cause fluid build-up, or edema, in the layers of the retina -- reducing vision. In diabetic retinopathy, new blood vessel growth can not only cause edema in the retina, but it can bleed into the retina or the vitreous, causing rapid vision loss. Anti-VEGF medications, like Macugen™, Avastin™, and Lucentis™, may be the next available line of treatment for diabetic patients with edema or hemorrhaging. Although these are only early observations on the drug's success in treating diabetic retinopathy, studies continue to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VEGF inhibitors in diabetic patients. It is important to note that, although readily available and commonly practiced, the FDA has not approved the drugs for treatment of diabetic retinopathy. It is questionable whether Medicare and insurance companies will cover their costs prior to FDA approval.We will post any major new findings to this website. | 
