Via practica 11/2008

RANIBIZUMAB – NEW OPTION IN TREATMENT OF AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the main cause of the deterioration of central visual acuity in human over 50 years of age. About 15% of these patients are affected with exudative form of ARMD, which shows adverse course. In pathogenesis of this exudative form, the main role has vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGH) Ranibizumab (Lucentis) humanized, monoclonal antibody in form of intravitreal injection binds and inactivates all VEGF isoforms. Suppression of neovascular activity stabilizes or enhances the visual acuity of patients. Prognosis of exudative ARMD has markedly improved.

Keywords: age related macular degeneration, exudative form, Lucentis, VEGF