Macugen is an aptamer (a short chain of nucleotides) that specifically targets VEGF, developed for the treatment of wet AMD. It is injected directly into the eye. Macugen helps to slow vision loss but generally does not improve vision. Macugen is administered in 0.3 mg doses once every six weeks by injection directly into the eye.

Data from clinical trials involving 1,200 patients with wet AMD have shown that more than half of individuals treated with Macugen lost fewer than three lines of visual acuity on the eye chart over the first year of the study. Macugen stabilizes vision in approximately 65% of people.

Commonly reported adverse events with Macugen include: inflammation, blurred vision, conjunctival hemorrhage, eye irritation, eye pain, floaters, and increased eye pressure. Serious complications of injections in the eye include endophthalmitis (infection) and retinal detachment.