What is the primary action of Anti-VEGF treatment?

The primary action of Anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) treatment is to inhibit the action of VEGF. VEGF is a protein that plays a significant role in the process of angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels. In various ocular conditions, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, excessive VEGF leads to the proliferation of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. These pathological blood vessels can cause leakage, bleeding, and retinal damage, ultimately impacting vision.

By inhibiting VEGF, Anti-VEGF treatments reduce the formation and maintenance of these abnormal blood vessels, helping to stabilize and sometimes improve the condition of the retina. This can also decrease the risk of further complications associated with excessive vascular growth, such as fluid accumulation and retinal scarring. Thus, the effectiveness of Anti-VEGF treatments is rooted in their ability to manage the underlying pathological processes caused by elevated VEGF levels.

While the treatment may lead to improvements in visual acuity and can have some anti-inflammatory effects, the primary mechanism of action remains the inhibition of VEGF signaling to prevent abnormal vessel proliferation.