Raja Narayanan and Baruch D. Kuppermann Pages 542 - 546 ( 5 )
Background: The global prevalence of AMD is projected to be 196 million by the year 2020. Despite substantial progress in the development of new therapies for wet AMD using inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the severe visual impairment associated with geographic atrophy in dry AMD remains untreatable. A number of therapeutic options for dry AMD are being developed and are in various stages of clinical trials. <p></p> Methods: Review of literature. <p></p> Results: Enhancers of choroidal blood flow, neuroprotectants and anti-complement factors are the key targets in the research for the treatment of dry AMD. These molecules aim to promote the function of the retinal pigment epithelium and preserve the photoreceptors. <p></p> Conclusion: New molecules are being developed for the treatment of dry AMD, and anti-complement therapy appears to be the most promising among them. <p></p>
Age-related macular degeneration, geogrpahic atrophy, drusen, complement, neuroprotectant, visual cycle, choroidal blood flow.
Smt Kanuri Santhamma Vitreoretina Center, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, UC Irvine, California