Dr. Sadiq Syed recently presented a talk entitled "Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration" to 22 doctors in Northwest Baltimore. Dr. Syed highlighted the current treatments for wet macular degeneration including the anti-VEGF agents avastin and lucentis. These biopharmaceuticals block intraocular proteins to diminsh neovascularization of the retina and subsequent vision loss. Eyelea, a new VEGF trap, has a similar mechanism of action to avastin and lucentis and may require less frequent dosing than avastin. Dr. Syed also stated that new treatments for dry macular degeneration are anticipated in the future to combat this slowly progressive but generally not treatable form of macular degeneration. These new treatments include drugs which target the complement component of the immune system, nerve growth factors, and stem cells.