Neovascular Macular Degeneration: A Review of Etiology, Risk Factors, and Recent Advances in Research and Therapy

Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jan 25;22(3):1170. doi: 10.3390/ijms22031170.

Abstract

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (exudative or wet AMD) is a prevalent, progressive retinal degenerative macular disease that is characterized by neovascularization of the choroid, mainly affecting the elderly population causing gradual vision impairment. Risk factors such as age, race, genetics, iris color, smoking, drinking, BMI, and diet all play a part in nvAMD's progression, with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy being the mainstay of treatment. Current therapeutic advancements slow the progression of the disease but do not cure or reverse its course. Newer therapies such as gene therapies, Rho-kinase inhibitors, and levodopa offer potential new targets for treatment.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration; anti-VEGF; etiopathogenesis; future advancements; gene-therapy; neovascular age-related macular degeneration; risk factors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Disease Management
  • Disease Susceptibility*
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Macular Degeneration / etiology*
  • Macular Degeneration / metabolism*
  • Macular Degeneration / pathology
  • Macular Degeneration / therapy
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism
  • Prevalence
  • Retinal Neovascularization / etiology*
  • Retinal Neovascularization / metabolism*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Inflammasomes
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein