Injecting both Avastin and a steroid injection can be a useful way to treat stubborn macular edema from diabetic retinopathy. While both can be used alone to treat macular swelling in diabetic patients, the combination is sometimes considered as an alternative. Traditional Laser The gold standard has been to treat diabetic macular edema with laser treatment. This has … [Read more...]
Retinal Ischemia: Supply vs. Demand
May 4, 2010 By 2 Comments
Retinal ischemia causes VEGF to be liberated inside the eye. In cases of diabetes this can lead to diabetic retinal detachment or neovascular glaucoma. Treatments included pan-retinal photocoagulation (laser) or anit-VEGF medication such as Lucentis or Avastin. Ischemia results when oxygen supply does not meet oxygen demand to any tissue. Other examples are the … [Read more...]
New Treatment for Diabetic Eye Disease
April 30, 2010 By 2 Comments
A combination of intravitreal injection of Lucentis (ranibizumab) plus laser has just been proven to be a new and more effective treatment for diabetic macular edema. For the past 25 years, laser photocoagulation (aka laser treatment) has been the mainstay for this most common complication of diabetic retinopathy. The new treatment involves Lucentis, the anti-VEGF … [Read more...]
Avastin Versus Lucentis; And the Winner Is…
April 2, 2010 By 1 Comment
Both Avastin and Lucentis are anti-VEGF treatments for wet macular degeneration. Both are manufactured by Genentech (Roche). A small study just (February 2010, Ophthalmology) published found no clinical difference between the two drugs, that is, one worked as well as the other. There has been quite a debate over the difference between the two drugs and their ability to … [Read more...]
Avastin and Lucentis: Neck and Neck
February 3, 2010 By 2 Comments
Both Avastin and Lucentis are anti-VEGF treatments for wet macular degeneration. Both are manufactured by Genentech (Roche). A small study just published found no clinical difference between the two drugs, that is, one worked as well as the other. There has been quite a debate over the difference between the two drugs and their ability to treat wet macular … [Read more...]
Avastin: An Adjunctive Therapy for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
January 27, 2010 By 11 Comments
Avastin® is useful for a variety of eye conditions; it is principally used to treat wet macular degeneration and is becoming a popular option to treat diabetic macular edema. On occasion, Avastin has also been useful, in my practice, to treat patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) also causes abnormal blood … [Read more...]
“My First Avastin Injection:” A Patient Account
January 25, 2010 By 51 Comments
A couple of months ago, I examined a new patient who had been complaining of decreased vision, and distortion, in the right eye for about 2 months. His vision was 20/200 in the right eye. After examination, I recommended Avastin® treatment for his wet macular degeneration. This is his account of the injection and the weeks after. Saturday, 12/5 I was … [Read more...]
“Cross My Heart, Hope to Die, Stick a Needle in My…”
December 18, 2009 By 21 Comments
I give intravitreal eye injections everyday! It is one of the most rewarding things I do! And they come back for more! My patients love it because anti-VEGF injections usually work really well, especially if the wet form of macular degeneration is caught early. Suspicion Confirmed When I examine a patient and suspect that a patient has wet macular degeneration, … [Read more...]
Avastin Steals The Show: Treatment for Wet Macular Degeneration
December 17, 2009 By 4 Comments
Avastin, in many areas is the preferred treatment for wet macular degeneration. Avastin's generic name is bevacizumab. It is the predecessor to Lucentis and both are made by the same company (Genentech/Roche). Avastin is the third intraocular injection and is also anti-VEGF. Avastin; is NOT FDA approved for the treatment of macular degeneration is the … [Read more...]
Diabetic Retinopathy Vs. Macular Degeneration (Part 2 of 2)
September 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Good Morning! This is part 2 of 2. Part 1 was posted yesterday. Read Part 1. 6. Treatment with Avastin® or other anti-VEGF inhibitors Technically, both diseases may be treated with anti-VEGF inhibitors. Presently, I sometimes treat the neovascular component of diabetic retinopathy with Avastin® if pan-retinal laser photocoagulation (standard treatment) … [Read more...]
