Lucentis and Avastin are two drugs used as treatments for wet macular degeneration. There has been considerable debate over which of these two treatments is best for treating macular degeneration. Lucentis is an approved drug for the eye disease, while Avastin is an off-label treatment.
As the debate over whether Lucentis or Avastin is better for treating macular degeneration, new research recently reveals that making the choice will be much more difficult.
In a retrospective chart review published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, it appears that Lucentis or Avastin are equally effective at decreasing macular thickness and volume. Avastin appears to last longer than Lucentis.
Does this mean that Avastin is better than Lucentis when treating macular degeneration patients? Not necessarily.
Another paper published in the Graefes Archive of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology reveals that Avastin accumulates within retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Lucentis however, does not accumulate. Thus, the study concluded that there are substantial differences in the pharmacokinetics of these two macular degeneration drugs.
A third study published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science reported that higher does of Avastin resulted in higher cell death of photoreceptors. This study compared Avastin treatments with Macugen treatments. Lucentis was not considered as part of this study.
Researchers concluded that the destruction of photoreceptors may be important for patients suffering from a variety of eye diseases, including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, especially if Avastin treatments were continuing for a period of time.
Other studies in whether Lucentis or Avastin is better for treating macular degeneration are continuing. The debate will continue especially since the cost of these two drugs is substantial.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
My insurance has just canceled coverage of Lucentis. I have lost the sight in one eye and am loosing the sight in the other held back by theese injections. I am panicking at the thought of my future.
Just wondering if you have any information on patients who have had both types?
I have had six treatment with avastin for my macular degeneration
and I don’t feel it is helping my problem.Please let me know what others think of this drug?
Just got the news today that I will have to start the injections next mon. for my macular degeneration.Which one do i pick. They suggested I get on the internet and research it.I’m so torn from what I’ve read.
What am i going to be able to do after the injections. They said bring someone with you.
I was treated with Avastin via intraocular injection in May 2008 for Ddegeneration vessel breakthrough into the retina. My vision began to clear in a couple of days and improved to 20-30 corrected in te eye. About what it was prior. No other breaks in 2 years. A scar from the break. The drug is effective for mmost and paid out of pocket cost about $150 including the dr. visit. My RS considers it an excellent alternative to Lucentis, hithly cost effective and more effective for many patients.
I have 21 yr old history of Ocular Histoplasmosis (bilateral) with my first recurrence in one eye in Oct 2009. I began Avastin injections and have successfully completed 4 injections with vision going from 20/40 back to 20/25, what it was before recurrence. In 1988, first occurrence, both eyes were lasered; 5 recurrences in left eye with laser treatments, resulting in 20/400 vision in that eye. The other eye remains 20/25 now, after 4 injections. My doctor says he will continue the injections every 4 to 8 weeks, probably for the remainder of my life. Does anyone else have this prognosis? I can understand WAMD needing this, but Histoplasmosis should not, in my mind. Interested in hearing from anyone with similar or same situation. Thanks. Bob Sommer
Robert Sommer, sorry to say but i am happy to read a story of someboody who has ocular histoplasmosis for so long. I have been diagnosed just over a year ago and had 7 injections with lucentis since, in my left eye. Last one 2 weeks ago. Now leakage has occured in my right eye, tomorrow I will have my first injection in the right eye. My left eye has improved but is not stable. Email me at: sasje74@hotmail.com, love to hear from you! thanks
I too have been dealing with Ocular Histoplasmosis in both eyes. It started in my left eye in 2004…having had steriod injections and photodynamic therapy….my left is is now 20/400. In 2007 I started to experience vison problems in my right eye….I have had 6 injections of Avastin and It has helped greatly to keep my vision 20/25. Currently have some leakage but not causing vision problems….Getting injection tomorrow…Doctor wants to switch from avastin to Lucentis…..Concerned about the change.