Retina-Vitreous
2026 , Vol 35 , Num 1
Evolving Therapies in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Türkiye
DOI :
10.37845/ret.vit.2026.35.1
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) continues to represent a major cause of irreversible central vision loss
despite substantial therapeutic progress over the past two decades. The advent of intravitreal anti?vascular endothelial growth
factor (VEGF) therapy fundamentally altered the natural course of the disease, enabling sustained visual stabilization and, in many
patients, meaningful visual improvement. However, long-term management remains dependent on repeated injections and continuous
monitoring, imposing a considerable burden on both patients and healthcare systems. Contemporary therapeutic development has
therefore shifted from maximizing short-term efficacy toward enhancing durability and reducing injection frequency. High-dose
formulations, such as aflibercept 8 mg, aim to intensify VEGF suppression, whereas dual-pathway inhibitors such as faricimab target
both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2, addressing complementary pathways implicated in vascular destabilization. Agents designed to
optimize pharmacokinetics, including antibody?biopolymer conjugates, represent an alternative strategy aimed at prolonging intraocular
residence time through pharmacokinetic optimization. In parallel, biosimilars are expanding treatment accessibility through regulatory
frameworks based on analytical and clinical comparability. Sustained drug delivery systems and gene-based strategies further attempt
to provide prolonged intraocular anti-angiogenic activity while minimizing injection burden. This review summarizes current and
emerging treatment strategies in nAMD, with emphasis on mechanistic diversity, durability optimization, safety considerations, and
real-world applicability. As the field evolves, the central challenge lies not only in suppressing VEGF effectively but in achieving
sustainable, individualized disease control over years of treatment.
Keywords :
Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Anti-VEGF Therapy, Angiogenesis Inhibitors, Drug Delivery Systems, Gene Therapy


