[2][3] AZ2171 (cediranib), a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor has been shown to have anti-edema effects by reducing the permeability and aiding in vascular normalization.
[4] A 2014 Cochrane Systematic Review studied the effectiveness of ranibizumab and pegaptanib, on patients who have macular edema caused by central retinal vein occlusion.
[5] Participants in both treatment groups showed improvement in visual acuity measures and a reduction in macular edema symptoms over six months.
Brown, et al. reported that monthly intravitreal injection of ranibizumab led to significant increase in the level of mean visual acuity compared to that of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin.
It was concluded from the two year, phase III study that ranibizumab was superior to photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in the treatment of predominantly classic (PC) Wet AMD with low rates of ocular adverse effects.
[9] Although the efficacy of ranibizumab is well-supported by extensive clinical trials,[citation needed] the cost effectiveness of the drug is questioned.
Lucentis has a similar but smaller molecular structure to Avastin, and is FDA-approved (2006) for treating MacD, yet remains more costly, as is the more recent (approved in 2011) aflibercept (Eylea).
[14] There is also very limited amounts of evidence from clinical trials that invesitgated at the effectiveness and also the safety rating associated with using anti-VEGF medications for more than a year for treating diabetic macular oedema.
[15] Anti-VEGF subconjunctival injections have been proposed as a means of controlling wound healing during glaucoma surgery, however the evidence for or against this therapeutic approach is limited and several studies are ongoing.