Managed care opportunities and approaches to select treatment for sight preservation

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapies have become the mainstay of treatment for both diabetic macular edema and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. This treatment is imperative for vision preservation including visual acuity. However, treatment burdens include high costs, frequent injections, continued visual loss, and loss of ability to perform day-to-day functions. Although clinical trial data have provided insights to treatment options and protocols, real-world patient experiences and adherence to therapies do not often mimic clinical trials as patients cannot fully adhere to their treatment schedule, leading to poor disease outcomes. Payers may consider various strategies such as step therapies, fee schedule management, and driving utilization through specialty pharmacies to contain costs. However, it is important to recognize not all patients will respond to a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, warranting a more personalized approach.