Ophthalmology

The incidence of eye disease is growing as the world's population ages and suffers increasingly from conditions such as diabetes. Pfizer is building on its expertise in treating diseases of the eye, including glaucoma, retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), and chronic dry eye (CDE) to expand its portfolio of ophthalmic compounds and improve the treatment options available to patients worldwide.

Ophthalmic Conditions

Indications for medicines currently in phases of development, from Phase 1 through recent approval:

• Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) – Damage to the retina, usually in adults over 55, leading to vision loss. Pfizer currently produces Macugen^® for the treatment of wet Age-related Macular Degeneration. Macugen, while proving to be an effective medicine for the treatment of AMD has to be taken, on a periodic basis, through direct injection into the eye. Our research is now concentrating on discovering and developing a new medicine with a longer duration of action so that it does not have to be injected as frequently.
• Diabetic Macular Edema – Thickening of the retina due to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the retina, causing visual blurring; may progress to vision loss if untreated.
• Glaucoma – A group of disorders that, if untreated, may lead to damage to the optic nerve. Damage to the optic nerve may lead to vision loss, and may progress to blindness. Most people with glaucoma have elevated fluid pressure in the eye, a condition known as increased intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States today with more than two million patients suffering from the most common form - open angle glaucoma.

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