ABSTRACT
Subfoveal neovascularization is the most frequent cause of severe visual loss in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Pharmacologic inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a new principle of treatment of this condition. The effects of intravitreal pegaptanib administered every sixth week for 48 weeks in three different dosages were examined in a prospective, double-masked, randomised trial against subconjunctival sham injection with change in visual acuity as the outcome parameter in 1,186 patients with subfoveal neovacularization in AMD. 70% of the patients treated with pegaptanib avoided moderate visual loss, compared to only 55% of the control group (p < 0.001 for 0.3 mg pegaptanib versus the control group, p < 0.001 for 1.0 mg and p = 0,03 for 3.0 mg). The improved visual prognosis was detectable beginning six weeks after the first injection (p < 0.002). Adverse events included endophthalmitis (1.3% of patients), traumatic lens damage (0.7%), retinal detachment (0.6%) and severe visual loss in one patient (0.1%). Intravitreal pegaptanib improves the visual prognosis in neovascular AMD. The long-term effect and safety of the treatment are not known.
