Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a multifunctional factor that promotes blood vessel formation and increases vascular permeability. Its abnormal elevation plays a key role in common retinal diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. Anti-VEGF therapy can inhibit angiogenesis, reduce vascular leakage and edema, thereby delaying disease progression and stabilizing or improving vision. Currently, the clinical application of anti-VEGF drugs has achieved satisfactory therapeutic effects, but there are also issues such as high injection frequency, heavy economy burden, potential systemic side effects, and non-responsiveness. To address these issues, current research and development mainly aim on biosimilars, multi-target drugs, drug delivery systems, oral anti-VEGF drugs, and gene therapy. Some drugs have shown great potential and are expected to turn over a new leaf for anti-VEGF treatment in ophthalmology.
