Can cheaper eye drugs work as well as expensive ones? A major review says yes for vision loss in older adults.

A major form of vision loss in older adults, called neovascular age-related macular degeneration, is often treated with expensive injections into the eye. Newer, less expensive versions of these drugs, called biosimilars, have been developed, but doctors and patients have wondered if they work as well and are as safe. A comprehensive review of 17 major clinical trials, involving over 6,600 patients, provides a clear answer. It found no clinically meaningful difference in how much vision people gained after 12 weeks or at the end of the studies when comparing the biosimilars to the original, costly drugs. The rates of people gaining a significant amount of vision were comparable. The review also found no meaningful difference in side effects in the eye or in the development of antibodies against the drugs. While one analysis suggested a slight difference for one specific type of drug (ranibizumab biosimilars), the overall conclusion is strong: these less expensive options appear to have equivalent effectiveness and safety. This is important news for patients and healthcare systems looking for effective, more affordable treatments.