Lucentis is the brand name for ranibizumab, a medication used in the treatment of various eye conditions, particularly those involving abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. Ranibizumab is classified as an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drug.
Here are some key points about Lucentis:
Mechanism of Action: Lucentis works by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that plays a key role in the formation of new blood vessels. In conditions such as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO), increased VEGF levels contribute to the growth of abnormal blood vessels, leading to vision problems. Lucentis helps to block the effects of VEGF, thereby reducing the growth of these abnormal blood vessels and mitigating associated complications.
Approved Indications:
Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wet AMD): Lucentis is approved for the treatment of wet AMD, a condition characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina.
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): Lucentis is used to treat DME, a complication of diabetic retinopathy that involves fluid accumulation in the macula.
Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO): Lucentis is indicated for the treatment of macular edema resulting from central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).
Administration: Lucentis is typically administered through intravitreal injections, meaning the medication is injected directly into the vitreous cavity of the eye. This mode of administration allows for a targeted and concentrated delivery of the drug to the retina.
Treatment Schedule: The treatment schedule for Lucentis varies based on the specific eye condition being treated. In some cases, a loading phase of monthly injections may be followed by a maintenance phase with less frequent injections.
Efficacy: Lucentis has been shown to be effective in improving visual acuity and reducing macular edema in patients with wet AMD, DME, and macular edema following RVO.
Potential Side Effects: Like any medication, Lucentis may be associated with potential side effects. Common side effects include eye pain, increased intraocular pressure, and floaters. Serious side effects, though rare, can include endophthalmitis (infection within the eye) and retinal detachment.
Lucentis is a medication that is used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration. It reduced the risk of vision loss from wet AMD from about 70 percent down to about 5 percent. The treatment improves about 90 percent of patients vision some and about 40 percent of patients vision a lot. It is safe and effective. The risk of harm is low, with about a 1 in 5,000 risk of infection. The bad thing about Lucentis is that it has to be given monthly to be effective, at least initially. The other bad thing is that it is an injection into the eye. With proper anesthesia, the injection rarely hurts.
Lucentis was the first FDA approved anti-VEGF agent specifically developed for wet AMD. It has been in widespread use since 2006. In addition, because of its chemical structure, it has the least effect on systemic VEGF levels.
Monthly Lucentis therapy is also helpful in improving vision in patients with central retinal vein occlusion and macular edema. Without treatment about 15 percent of have visual improvement. With treatment about 50 percent of patients have improved vision. Long term follow-up show that at 4 years, a little over half of the patients with central retinal vein occlusion require continued treatment to maintain the visual benefit.
Monthly Lucentis therapy is also helpful in improving vision in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion and macular edema. Without treatment about 30 percent of have visual improvement. With treatment about 60 percent of patients have improved vision. Long term follow-up show that at 4 years, about half of the patients with branch retinal vein occlusion require continued treatment to maintain the visual benefit.
Monthly Lucentis therapy is helpful for patients with diabetic macular edema. With laser only, about 15 percent of patients have substantial visual improvement at 2 years. With Lucentis therapy, about 40 percent of patients have a substantial improvement in visual acuity. Subsequent studies have shown that ongoing monthly treatment is usually not necessary to maintain the visual benefit.