SUMMARY
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic disease affecting the retina and is the most common cause of blindness in the ageing population in the developed world. Correct and timely diagnosis and classification allows physicians to estimate which patients are at high risk of progressing to more advanced stages of the disease In February 2012, 23 Latin American experts met in Cartagena, Colombia, to develop a Consensus on AMD. This paper summarizes the main points of the discussions including definitions, diagnosis, antiangiogenic treatments, and hopes for the future. Dry AMD remains untreatable but results from promising Phase II trials are awaited eagerly. Antiangiogenics, such as the licensed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, aflibercept and ranibizumab, have revolutionized the treatment of wet AMD in recent years. These drugs work by inhibiting the choroidal neovascularization that causes the rapid vision loss in wet AMD. Another antiangiogenic, bevacizumab, is also commonly used off-label, but is not approved currently for intraocular use. However, barriers to treatment compliance, due to the frequency of monthly injections, can also affect the efficacy of these antiangiogenic therapies. Aflibercept has a longer duration of action compared with other treatments and thereby offers reduced injection frequency. By relieving patients of the need for monthly visits, it can help reduce the growing burden of AMD patients on healthcare resources.