Abstract

The use of intravitreal anti vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs such as pegaptanib, ranibizumab and bevacizumab has been widely reported to treat complications such as macular edema and rubeosis. During the past few years they have also been used as an adjuvant therapy to reduce intraocular bleeding during vitrectomy in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy as well as to reduce the occurrence of vitreous haemorrhages in vitrectomized eyes and facilitate glaucoma surgery.

In this paper we review the use of anti VEGF drugs in the surgical management of diabetic retinopathy related complications.

Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy, Proliferative diabetic retinopathy, Diabetic macular edema, VEGF, Bevacizumab, Ranibizumab, Pegaptanib, Bevasiranib, VEGF trap, Vitrectomy, Laser photocoagulation, Phacoemulsification, Glaucoma surgery