What are the current evidence-based treatment options available for patients with wet AMD in primary care settings?

Current evidence-based treatment options for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration in primary care include intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy, such as ranibizumab, aflibercept, and bevacizumab, which are recommended for late AMD (wet active) with specific visual acuity criteria ³.

Ranibizumab is recommended if the patient's best-corrected visual acuity is between 6/12 and 6/96, with no permanent structural damage to the central fovea, lesion size less than or equal to 12 disc areas, and evidence of recent disease progression ³.

Aflibercept is also recommended, used in accordance with the guidelines for ranibizumab, and provided under a patient access scheme with manufacturer support ³.

Bevacizumab, although unlicensed in the UK for this indication, is considered by the guideline committee to have equivalent effectiveness and safety, and may be used following professional guidance and informed consent ³.

In addition, photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin may be used as a second-line treatment in combination with anti-VEGF therapy, but photodynamic therapy alone is not recommended ¹,²,³.