Avastin®
Avastin, also known as bevacizumab, is a medication to treat age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, a debilitating eye disease. Avastin works by blocking the body from producing vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, a protein that causes abnormal blood vessels to grow, damaging the macula. Avastin has been shown to improve vision when it is administered on a monthly basis.
The macula is the central part of the retina. The function of the macula is to provide central vision as well as visual detail. In the advanced stages of AMD, known as the wet form, blood vessels grow abnormally, leaking fluid and blood into the macula. Vision becomes obscured and patients experience a loss of central vision.
Avastin blocks the growth of abnormal blood vessels and leakage of fluid from the blood vessels. This reduces swelling in the macula, preventing further vision loss and even improving vision for some patients with AMD.
Originally developed to treat metastatic colorectal cancer, Avastin is FDA-approved for that purpose. Studies have shown that Avastin can effectively be used to treat AMD, resulting in increased vision. Ophthalmologists have been offering Avastin to their patients. Avastin is administered in a series of injections into the vitreous portion of the eye. Injections are usually scheduled 4-6 weeks apart.