segment nv that occurs during exudative amd are laser photocoagulation or photodynamic therapy with visudyne u00ae both therapies involve occlusion of affected vasculature which results in localized laser induced damage to the retina surgical interventions with vitrectomy and membrane removal are the only options currently available for patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy no strictly pharmacologic treatment has been approved for use against posterior segment nv although several different compounds are being evaluated clinically including for example anecortave acetate alcon inc eye 001 eyetech and rhufabv2 genentech for amd and ly333531 lilly and fluocinolone bausch amp lomb for diabetic macular edema in addition to changes in the retinal microvasculature induced by hyperglycemia in diabetic patients leading to macular edema proliferation of neovascular membranes is also associated with vascular leakage and edema of the retina where edema involves the macula visual acuity worsens in diabetic retinopathy macular edema is the major cause of vision loss like angiogenic disorders laser photocoagulation is used to stabilize or resolve the edematous condition while reducing further development of edema laser photocoagulation is a cytodestructive procedure that unfortunately will alter the visual field of the affected eye an effective pharmacologic therapy for ocular nv and edema would likely provide substantial efficacy to the patient in many diseases thereby avoiding invasive surgical or damaging laser procedures effective treatment of the nv and edema would improve the patient 39 s quality of life and productivity within society also societal costs associated with providing assistance and health care to the blind could be dramatically reduced it has now been discovered that certain sod mimics are useful for the treatment of amd.