Vabysmo: A Modern Retinal Medication for Wet AMD and DME
– by Dr. Peter Karth, MD, MBA, FASRS, FACS
Introduction
Vabysmo (faricimab-svoa) is a prescription medication that is placed into the eye to treat adults with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). It is the first and only FDA-approved treatment that targets two proteins that are involved in the development of these conditions: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2).
What is wet AMD and DME?
Wet AMD and DME are two of the most common causes of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. Wet AMD is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. DME is characterized by the leakage of fluid from blood vessels in the retina. Both conditions can lead to blurry vision, blind spots, and even total blindness.
How does Vabysmo work?
Vabysmo works by binding to VEGF and Ang-2, which prevents them from binding to their receptors on cells in the retina. This helps to reduce the growth of new blood vessels and the leakage of fluid from existing blood vessels, which can cause vision loss in people with wet AMD and DME.
Clinical trials
Vabysmo was shown to be effective in improving vision in people with wet AMD and DME in clinical trials. Patients who received Vabysmo had a significantly greater improvement in their visual acuity (the ability to see fine details).
Safety and side effects
Vabysmo is generally well-tolerated. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own.
Dosage and administration
Vabysmo is administered as an injection into the eye by a qualified eye doctor. The recommended dose of Vabysmo is 6 mg every 4 weeks initially. The clinical trial showed that a larger number of patients were able to increase the interval between Vabysmo injections, up to 16 weeks.
Conclusion
Vabysmo is a safe and effective treatment for wet AMD and DME. If you are considering treatment for these conditions, talk to your doctor about whether Vabysmo is right for you.
Additional information
- Vabysmo is a brand-name medication. There are no generic versions of Vabysmo available.
The cost of Vabysmo varies depending on the insurance coverage, but typically Dr. Peter Karth can apply assistance programs to reduce the out of pocket costs to near zero.
Vabysmo is available at Retina Care, administered by Dr. Peter Karth.
I hope this blog post was informative and helpful. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about Vabysmo, please feel free to contact Dr. Peter Karth, at Retina Care.