Role of Anti-VEGF Real-World Evidence in Retinal Vascular Diseases

In this episode, “Role of Anti-VEGF Real-World Evidence in Retinal Vascular Diseases,” the expert faculty explore how real-world evidence is utilized to evaluate anti-VEGF therapies in routine clinical practice and how these findings compare with outcomes observed in randomized clinical trials. The panel discusses the growing importance of real-world data in understanding long-term treatment patterns, durability, and patient outcomes across retinal vascular diseases, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Throughout the discussion, the panelists highlight key differences between highly curated clinical trial populations and the broader range of patients treated in routine clinical settings. The expert faculty explain that clinical trial participants are often selected based on strict eligibility criteria, which may exclude patients with comorbid ophthalmic conditions, advanced disease, or other factors commonly encountered in real-world practice. As a result, real-world outcomes may differ from those reported in clinical trials, particularly with respect to treatment adherence and long-term disease control.

The panel also explores how durability remains a major challenge in retinal vascular disease management, emphasizing that anti-VEGF therapies require repeated administration over time to maintain disease control and optimize visual outcomes. The expert faculty discuss how pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations influence treatment durability and injection frequency, as well as how missed visits or undertreatment may contribute to poorer real-world outcomes compared with clinical trial findings. Overall, the discussion highlights the complementary role of real-world evidence and clinical trial data in informing treatment decisions and improving long-term patient care in retinal vascular diseases.

The next episode in this series, “Real-World Treatment Strategies in Retinal Vascular Diseases,” features the panelists discussing how real-world evidence is shaping anti-VEGF treatment decisions, injection intervals, and therapy selection across AMD, DME, and RVO. The expert faculty also highlight how newer therapies may improve durability, vascular stability, and long-term disease management in clinical practice.