Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Drugs for the Treatment of Retinal Conditions: A Review of the Safety [Internet].

Retinal conditions, such as age related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and choroidal neovascularization due to pathologic myopia (CNV due to PM) are an important public health concern that threatens the vision of millions of patients in Canada. The mechanism of these conditions involve the new formation of blood vessels in the retina that eventually leads to loss of vision. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti-VEGF) inhibits this growth and allows the restoration of vision. Currently in Canada, two licensed anti-VEGF agents are available in the market; ranibizumab and aflibercept. Bevacizumab, on the other hand, has been developed as an anti-cancer drug. However, its close molecular resemblance to ranibizumab and identical mechanism of action has made it a widely used option, especially in environments that are strained on health resources.,

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