Ranibizumab is a prescription medicine used for treating an eye condition called age-related wet macular degeneration. With regular use, vision loss and macular damage can be slowed down or even reversed. Ranibizumab is injected into the eye once a month by a healthcare professional. Possible side effects can include eye pain, specks in the vision, and redness or blood spots in the eyes.
Ranibizumab is made by Genentech, Inc.
How Does Ranibizumab Work?
Wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal blood vessel growth in the back of the eye. The blood vessels grow behind the retina, underneath the macula (a part of the retina that is essential for detailed vision). These new blood vessels are not normal and are weak and prone to leaking. Leaking causes damage to the macula, which causes "wet" macular degeneration.
Ranibizumab is part of an antibody that is designed to bind to and inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A). VEGF-A is a naturally occurring protein that encourages the growth of new blood vessels (including abnormal blood vessels). By binding to VEGF-A, ranibizumab prevents this protein from encouraging new blood vessel growth. This helps to slow down (or even reverse) vision loss and macular damage.
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