Purpose of review: The purpose of this report is to review recent literature and ongoing clinical trials of the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
Recent findings: Advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization have resulted in the emergence of pharmacotherapies targeting various aspects of angiogenesis. Preliminary results with the new agents have been encouraging. Moreover, longer follow-up and subgroup analyses of the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy and Verteporfin in Photodynamic Therapy studies have suggested new potential indications for photodynamic therapy.
Summary: Currently a patient with wet macular degeneration may have multiple investigational options that were unavailable several years ago. Ongoing clinical trials are aimed at determining the long-term safety and efficacy of these new pharmacologic and combination therapy modalities.