Prevention of Experimental Choroidal Neovascularization With Intravitreal Anti–Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Antibody Fragment

Abstract

CHOROIDAL neovascularization (CNV) is the major cause of severe visual loss in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). New blood vessels grow from the choroid and penetrate through the Bruch membrane into the subretinal pigment epithelial and subretinal space. These vessels can leak and bleed, leading to exudative retinal detachment and hemorrhage. Eventually, this process progresses to a fibrovascular scar with destruction of photoreceptors and vision loss.