A Case of Age Related Macular Degeneration Responding to a Statin – Perspective for a New Treatment
Helmut Gohlke *
Department of Clinical Cardiology II, Herz-Zentrum, D-79188 Bad Krozingen, Germany.
Lutz L. Hansen
University Eye Hospital, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The newly started use of atorvastatin eliminated the need for further intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for 37 months in a case of wet form of age related macular degeneration(AMD). Repeated optical coherence tomographic examinations documented the absence of intra- or subretinal fluid. The known effects of statins on endothelial function might also improve retinal capillary endothelial function and reduce or eliminate fluid leakage into the intra- or subretinal space. This would intervene earlier in one important disease mechanism of AMD than the injection of anti-VEGF therapies. A randomized study is necessary to prove this hypothesis.
Keywords: Age related macular degeneration (AMD), intravitreal injections, atorvastatin, ranibizumab, bevacizumab, subretinal fluid, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)