Intravitreal administration of inhibitors in Grodno

Intravitreal administration of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, anti-VEGF)

VEGF proteins serve as part of the system responsible for restoring the supply of oxygen to tissues in a situation where blood circulation is insufficient and redox processes in the eye are disrupted. This is possible with diseases such as

• diabetic retinopathy
• wet form of age-related macular degeneration
• retinal edema due to thrombosis of the central branch of the retina or its branches
• myopic choroidal neovascularization

VEGF-A protein can cause two types of vascular response:

• increased permeability of the vascular wall and, as a result, the appearance of leakage of the liquid part of the blood and proteins into the surrounding tissues (the appearance of edema)
• stimulation of the growth of new vessels from existing ones

The longer the retina lacks oxygen and is in a state of edema, the more irreversible changes appear in it, which can ultimately lead to the formation of a scar. The only option currently available to stop the effects of VEGF is the administration of an anti-VEGF drug. The main purpose of using this group of drugs is to stop the pathological process, preserve existing visual functions and inhibit the progression of the disease. After administration of the drug, patients note a decrease in distortion, an increase in image clarity, and a possible increase in visual acuity.

To achieve the “stabilization phase” in diseases such as wet AMD, myopic choroidal neovascularization, 3 injections are required with an interval of 1 month. For diabetic retinopathy, 5 initial monthly injections are recommended. In the future, the number of injections and the interval between them is determined by the doctor in each case individually. When drawing up an individual plan for drug administration, the most modern global clinical studies are taken into account. To assess the state of visual functions, a comprehensive examination is performed, including spectral optical coherence tomography (OCT), which allows you to accurately determine the condition of the retina.

At the Voka Clinic it is possible to administer the drug aflibercept (Eylea, EYLEA) and ranibizumab (Lucentis).

The drug is injected into the eye in an operating room. The procedure is quick and painless, performed under local anesthesia.

Contraindications are intolerance to the components of the drug, inflammatory eye diseases.

It is necessary to remember the importance of maintaining normal blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and treating existing diseases, because the retinal vessels do not exist in isolation from the whole body and the healthier the vessels, the better the prognosis of the disease.