Steroid Therapy in Wet-Form (Neovascular) Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Wet-form (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by the development of choroidal neovascularization. Pathogenesis of disease involves inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis through complex mechanisms that have interactions among different cytokines. Although anti- VEGF agents are the gold standard in treatment, the main goal of the effective treatment for wet AMD is to inhibit all mechanisms involved in pathogenesis, including inflammatory cascades. In addition to the anti-inflammatory effects steroids reduce the permeability of choroidal cells and are anti-angiogenic via suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Triamcinolone and dexamethasone are the steroids used in monotherapy and combination therapy in wet AMD; nevertheless studies had shown that these steroids may stabilize or gain vision and provide fewer treatment procedures.