Purpose of review: To report the safety and efficacy of intravitreal injections for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Recent findings: Injecting antivascular endothelial growth factor drugs into the vitreal cavity brings new hope to many AMD patients. Currently, several antivascular endothelial growth factor drugs such as pegaptanib, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab are used via the intravitreal route for neovascular AMD. However, these injections are not without ocular or systemic complications.
Summary: Review of current literature suggests that intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor agents are generally a safe and effective treatment for neovascular AMD for up to 2-3 years. Presently, there is level I evidence to substantiate this conclusion for pegaptanib and ranibizumab, but not bevacizumab.