Anti-VEGF Treatment of Glaucoma

Rick      E. Bendel

Abstract

Challenges with surgical treatment of glaucoma are numerous and frequent, especially with the more complicated forms such as neovascular or uveitic glaucoma. Surgeries often fail which have driven the search for using a surgical adjunct to improve the outcomes and longevity of glaucoma procedures, while lowering their complication rates. VEGF levels have been found to be elevated in patients with both primary open angle glaucoma and secondary glaucomas. The use of anti-VEGF agents is now being investigated in the treatment of all types of glaucoma. The information is early and limited, but what is known will be reviewed in this article. In considering anti-VEGF agents in the treatment of glaucoma, some evidence suggests that anti-VEGF agents may induce glaucoma by elevating intraocular pressure, which will also be reviewed.

Keywords: Antivascular endothelial growth factor, bevacizumab, bleb, glaucoma, intraocular pressure, mitomycin C, neovascular glaucoma, ranibizumab, trabeculectomy, glaucoma, surgery