Digital News Report – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of Eylea (aflibercept) for treatment of wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This is the leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 60 in the United States.
Eylea was studied in two clinical trials of 2,412 adults over a year of treatment. The wet AMD patients received either Eylea or Lucentis (ranibizumab injection). The results showed improved visual acuity after one year of treatment. Eylea is injected into the eye by the ophthalmologist. The treatment can occur every four or every eight weeks.
Common Eylea side effects reported were eye pain, blood at the area of the treatment, vitreous floaters, cataracts, and increased eye pressure. The FDA said that the treatment should not be given to a person who has an active eye infection or ongoing ocular inflammation. Since Eylea was not studied on pregnant women, the FDA doe not recommend use with them. However, if the benefits outweigh the risks it could be used for pregnant women. Eylea has not been studied for use with children because the disease occurs with adults.
Eylea is the name brand treatment marketed by Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
By: Jason Chang
Health Reporter
|
