Ranibizumab and pegaptanib for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and economic evaluation

Abstract

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Cost Effectiveness of Treatments for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

“…However, an HTA by Colquitt et al [2] calculated higher costs per QALY gained over the same timeframe and from a similar perspective.…”

“…[2] Wet AMD can be designated classic or occult according to its features on fluorescein angiography, with AMD lesions classified as either 100% classic, predominantly classic (in which choroidal neovascularization [CNV] accounts for at least 50% of the lesion), minimally classic (where CNV accounts for part of but <50% of the lesion) or occult (where there is no CNV). [2] Symptoms of wet AMD often begin with central visual blurring, distortion (metamorphopsia) or a dark central patch (scotoma), although, if only one eye is affected, these features may not be noticed for some time. When the second eye becomes affected, patients suddenly lose the ability to read, drive or see fine details such as facial expressions and features.…”

A safety audit of the first 10 000 intravitreal ranibizumab injections performed by nurse practitioners

“…The annual incidence of wAMD requiring anti-VEGF treatments has been estimated at B26 000 patients in the United Kingdom (UK), 3 but this may be an underestimate. 4 The West of England Eye Unit (WEEU) based at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E), Exeter, serves a population of B350 000 patients and therefore expects 150 new cases of wAMD per year.…”

Performance of a computerised visual acuity measurement device in subjects with age-related macular degeneration: comparison with gold standard ETDRS chart measurements

“…In addition, a reduction in VA of more than five letters (0.1 logMAR) is a part of the criteria used to determine re-treatment. 3,4 This necessitates that logMAR based charts are employed and the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart is currently considered the gold standard test for measuring and monitoring VA in AMD patients. 5 However, there is a recognised difficulty in introducing and employing standardised logMAR based acuity measurements.…”