Macular degeneration

These drugs are for specialist use only and should be used in accordance with NICE guidance.

Aflibercept is a soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor fusion protein which binds to all forms of VEGF-A, VEGF-B and the placental growth factor. It is an option for treating neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema and macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occulsion.

Brolucizumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), thereby suppressing endothelial cell proliferation and inhibiting the growth of new vessels and decreasing vascular permeability. It is licensed for use in the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema. 

Faricimab is a bispecific immunoglobulin G1 antibody that inhibits angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor A, thereby inactivating angiogenesis, reducing vascular inflammation and restoring vascular stability. It is used for the treatment of Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema. 

Ranibizumab is a vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) inhibitor used for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema and macular oedema due to retinal vein occlusion. 

Verteporfin is licensed for use in the photodynamic treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration with a confirmed diagnosis of classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation.