Trials That Matter: Two Faces of Progress in the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Paul Epstein
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2007)

Editorials3 April 2007Trials That Matter: Two Faces of Progress in the Treatment of Age-Related Macular DegenerationPaul Epstein, MD, Deputy EditorPaul Epstein, MD, Deputy EditorFrom the American College of Physicians, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-146-7-200704030-00011 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common ocular condition that may destroy central vision and have a devastating effect on the quality of life of people over the age of 55. Since the population of the United States is now living longer, more people are at risk for developing the disease as the population ages. By age 70, nearly 1 of 3 people shows signs of at least mild AMD on ophthalmologic examination.The earliest recognizable manifestation of AMD is the presence of drusen—white deposits that can be observed in the macula during an ophthalmoscopic examination. Patients with drusen are ...References1. Rosenfeld PJ, Brown DM, Heier JS, Boyer DS, Kaiser PK, Chung CY, et al. Ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:1419-31. [PMID: 17021318] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Brown DM, Kaiser PK, Michels M, Soubrane G, Heier JS, Kim RY, et al. Ranibizumab versus verteporfin for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:1432-44. [PMID: 17021319] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Michels S, Rosenfeld PJ, Puliafito CA, Marcus EN, Venkatraman AS. Systemic bevacizumab (Avastin) therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Twelve-week results of an uncontrolled open-label clinical study. Ophthalmology. 2005;112:1035-47. [PMID: 15936441] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Avery RL, Pieramici DJ, Rabena MD, Castellarin AA, Nasir MA, Giust MJ. Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology. 2006;113:363-372.e5. [PMID: 16458968] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Avery RL, Pearlman J, Pieramici DJ, Rabena MD, Castellarin AA, Nasir MA, et al. Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Ophthalmology. 2006;113:1695.e1-15. [PMID: 17011951] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Paul Epstein, MD, Deputy EditorAffiliations: From the American College of Physicians, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Acknowledgments: The author thanks Stuart Fine, MD; Daniel Martin, MD; and Maureen Maguire, PhD, for ophthalmologic advice and review of the manuscript.Disclosures: None disclosed.Corresponding Author: Customer Service, American College of Physicians, 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPHARMACOKINETIC STUDY OF INTRAVITREAL AFLIBERCEPT IN HUMANS WITH NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATIONNeurofibromatosis as a gateway to better treatment for a variety of malignanciesA Clearer View of Evidence in Treating Macular Degeneration: Off-Label Policies and Independent ResearchAge-Related Macular DegenerationAge-Related Macular DegenerationRanibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degenerationControversies in the Treatment of Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration 3 April 2007Volume 146, Issue 7Page: 532-534KeywordsDrugsMacular degenerationMonoclonal antibodiesQuality of lifeRetinaVisionVisual acuity ePublished: 3 April 2007 Issue Published: 3 April 2007 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2007 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...