Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition in uveitis: A systematic review

Nishi Gulati, Farzin Forooghian, Ronni Lieberman, Douglas A. Jabs

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of uveitic complications such as cystoid macular oedema (CMO), choroidal neovasularisation (CNV) and retinal neovascularisation (RNV). The use of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapies, namely bevacizumab and ranibizumab, has recently been described in the treatment of these complications. Evidence describing the use of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for these complications consists of case reports and case series, most of which are retrospective and have limitations in design and analysis. As such, the current level of evidence supporting the use of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for these complications of uveitis would be rated as very low. Furthermore, blockage of VEGF has not been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, treatment of the underlying inflammatory disease should play a central role in the management of uveitic CMO, CNV and RNV. A two-pronged treatment regimen that focuses on achieving disease quiescence through the use of corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive agents, while treating complications that arise despite adequate disease quiescence with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents, may be useful. However, further data from prospective controlled trials are needed before the therapeutic role of anti-VEGF therapy in the uveitis treatment regimen can be fully determined.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)162-165
Number of pages4
JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume95
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011

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