Update on the Use of Anti-Angiogenic Agents in Retinal Diseases: From Standard Therapy to New Strategies
Keywords:
Antiangiogenics, Neovascular Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Macular EdemaAbstract
Introduction: anti-angiogenic agents have revolutionized the treatment of exudative retinal diseases over the past two decades.
Objective: to describe the most recent scientific evidence on the use of anti-angiogenic agents in retinal diseases.
Methods: a systematic review of the literature from 2020–2025 on anti-angiogenic agents in retinal diseases was conducted, identifying 156 articles from different databases, of which 28 were selected for their timeliness, relevance, and quality.
Development: recent literature confirms that anti-angiogenic therapies have transformed the management of retinal diseases by improving and maintaining visual acuity. However, they still face significant limitations such as the high burden of injections, heterogeneity in clinical response, and the occurrence of geographic atrophy with prolonged use. In response, innovative approaches are being developed, including combinations of molecules with complementary mechanisms, exploration of targets beyond vascular endothelial growth factor, and the incorporation of gene therapies aimed at sustained release, with the goal of optimizing visual outcomes and reducing treatment frequency.
Conclusions: the future of anti-angiogenic management is moving toward treatment personalization, reduction in administration frequency, and addressing broader pathophysiological mechanisms.
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