Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive, degenerative disease of the macula that threatens central vision. It initially occurs in a "dry" form, and can progress to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or geographic atrophy. It is the leading cause of blindness among European-descended people older than 65 years, with a prevalence of 1.5%. The treatment of CNV in developed nations in 2007 is substantially different than it was in 1997. Focal, photocoagulating, laser therapy was replaced by intravenous verteporfin and then by intravitreal pegaptanib, which is now being replaced by intravitreal ranibizumab and off-label use of bevacizumab. Other than a ranibizumab versus verteporfin trial, there are no published comparative studies of the three approved pharmacological treatments for CNV. Although frequent intravitreal injections are accepted as a current standard of care, their use is still far from ideal. Thus, there is an opportunity for improving therapy of CNV with respect to mechanism-targeted treatments, efficacy, and route of administration.

中文翻译：

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药物治疗由于年龄相关性黄斑变性引起的脉络膜新生血管形成。

年龄相关性黄斑变性（AMD）是一种威胁中央视力的黄斑部病变。它最初以“干燥”形式出现，并可能发展为脉络膜新血管形成（CNV）或地理萎缩。这是65岁以上欧洲人中失明的主要原因，患病率为1.5％。2007年发达国家中CNV的治疗与1997年相比有很大不同。局部，光凝，激光治疗先后用静脉内维替泊芬和玻璃体内培加他尼代替，现在已被玻璃体内兰尼单抗和不合规定使用贝伐单抗替代。除了兰尼单抗与维替泊芬试验之外，尚无关于三种批准的CNV药理疗法的比较研究发表。尽管频繁的玻璃体内注射已被接受为当前的护理标准，但其使用仍远非理想。因此，在针对机制的治疗，功效和给药途径方面，存在改善CNV治疗的机会。