Retinal Pharmacotherapeutics

Book excerpt: The use of pharmacotherapeutics in the management of retinal diseases is rapidly evolving, and a favorable therapy for the patient. Today anti-VEGF agents are used for a range of indications from inflammation-related choroidal neovascularization to macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion or diabetic retinopathy. Beyond VEGF, there is an array of target areas under investigation – not only for vascular pathologies such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, but also for degenerative, infectious and inflammatory retinal conditions. This publication discusses many aspects from basic research on the retina, to animal models for retinal drug delivery, retinal diseases that are amenable to pharmacotherapy and also drugs and mechanisms in retinal diseases. Anyone concerned with the management of retinal diseases - the general ophthalmologist and the retina specialist alike – will find this book indispensable reading.