Tag: Retinal disease

In July 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved EYLEA (aflibercept) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). This pivotal approval, based on robust clinical trial data, established EYLEA as a standard of care for a significant complication of diabetic eye disease.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, certain prescription drugs can cause or exacerbate eye problems, making it crucial to understand what medicines are not good for macular degeneration. While no medication is known to directly cause age-related macular degeneration (AMD), several drug classes may increase risk or trigger related conditions, such as macular edema, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and communication with your healthcare provider.

While many patients ask, 'Is there a generic version of Eylea?', the correct term for its alternatives is 'biosimilar,' because Eylea is a complex biologic drug made from living cells. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved multiple aflibercept biosimilars, though their market availability has been impacted by patent litigation.

Despite common confusion, a recent FDA approval highlights that Cimerli and Avastin are fundamentally distinct medications. To be clear, **is Cimerli the same as Avastin?** The answer is no, as Cimerli is a biosimilar drug used for retinal diseases while Avastin is an original biologic primarily for cancer treatment.

Anti-VEGF treatments have become the standard of care for many serious retinal conditions, yet studies indicate that Eylea (aflibercept) may offer a longer duration of action compared to Accentrix (ranibizumab), often resulting in less frequent administration. Understanding **what is the difference between Eylea and Accentrix?** is crucial for patients and healthcare providers determining the best therapeutic approach for conditions like wet macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.

Over 300 million people worldwide are at risk of vision loss due to various retinal diseases. While a single 'new drug' doesn't exist for all conditions, recent advancements in gene therapy, optogenetics, and neuroprotective compounds offer new hope by restoring function or slowing progression. The answer to what is the new drug restores vision depends heavily on the specific cause of the impairment.

Originally approved by the FDA in 2006 for wet age-related macular degeneration, **Accentrix injection** is a crucial treatment for several serious eye diseases. This medication, known by its active ingredient ranibizumab, works by targeting the abnormal blood vessel growth that causes vision loss.