Die Behandlung von ophthalmologischen Erkrankungen. Neue medikamentöse Ansätze

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and diabetic retinopathy are two of the most frequent reasons for legal blindness in the industrialized world. Until recently treatment for these neovascular diseases, often being complicated by macular edema, was limited to ablative techniques such laser coagulation. The newly developed antagonists against the potent vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) revolutionized the ophthalmic therapy. The already marketed anti-VEGF agents as well as those still in experimental and clinical testing show very promising results. This review focusses on these new drugs in the treatment of ARMD, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vascular occlusions, outlining the different pharmacological approaches, application modes and frequencies as well as the safety of these VEGF-antagonists.