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Review
. 2021 Jan 25;22(3):1170.
doi: 10.3390/ijms22031170.

Neovascular Macular Degeneration: A Review of Etiology, Risk Factors, and Recent Advances in Research and Therapy

Arunbalaji Pugazhendhi  1 , Margaret Hubbell  1 , Pooja Jairam  2 , Balamurali Ambati  1
Affiliations
Review

Neovascular Macular Degeneration: A Review of Etiology, Risk Factors, and Recent Advances in Research and Therapy

Arunbalaji Pugazhendhi et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (exudative or wet AMD) is a prevalent, progressive retinal degenerative macular disease that is characterized by neovascularization of the choroid, mainly affecting the elderly population causing gradual vision impairment. Risk factors such as age, race, genetics, iris color, smoking, drinking, BMI, and diet all play a part in nvAMD's progression, with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy being the mainstay of treatment. Current therapeutic advancements slow the progression of the disease but do not cure or reverse its course. Newer therapies such as gene therapies, Rho-kinase inhibitors, and levodopa offer potential new targets for treatment.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration; anti-VEGF; etiopathogenesis; future advancements; gene-therapy; neovascular age-related macular degeneration; risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of AMD pathogenesis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Progression of AMD.
Figure 3
Figure 3
NLRP3 inflammasome [116].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mechanism of anti-VEGF drugs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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