Balancing Clinical Outcomes and Cost: The Value of Biosimilars in Retinal Disease Management
A recent study examining the impact of retinal diseases highlights their significant clinical, social, and economic burden. Conditions such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) are leading causes of blindness worldwide, with prevalence rising due to population aging and the increasing incidence of chronic diseases like diabetes. Beyond vision loss, these conditions compromise mobility, independence, and mental health, while also diminishing quality of life and life satisfaction. The study emphasizes that these effects ripple out to families and caregivers, who often experience emotional strain and financial pressures due to time away from work and caregiving responsibilities.
The introduction of intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy has transformed treatment, improving outcomes and delaying disease progression. However, the study notes that the high cost of biologics and the intensive treatment regimen—requiring frequent injections and monitoring—create barriers to access and adherence. Undertreatment is common in real-world practice, resulting in poorer outcomes compared with clinical trial populations. The economic impact is equally profound: vision loss drives direct health care costs, including hospitalizations and nursing care, and indirect costs, such as reduced productivity and caregiver time. In the United States alone, vision impairment has been associated with annual costs exceeding $130 billion.
The study highlights that biosimilars may help address these challenges. With rigorous testing confirming equivalent efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity to reference biologics, anti-VEGF biosimilars offer a cost-effective alternative that can expand access to care. Evidence from other therapeutic areas shows biosimilars reduce drug costs significantly, generating billions in savings that can be reinvested into health care systems. In ophthalmology, their adoption could help close treatment gaps, support greater adherence, and relieve financial strain on patients and providers alike.
Although challenges remain, including physician confidence, patient perceptions, and regional regulatory differences, the study concludes that biosimilars represent a pivotal opportunity. By introducing cost competition and improving affordability, biosimilars have the potential to transform retinal disease management, ensuring that effective treatment remains sustainable as demand grows worldwide.
Reference
Hariprasad SM, Holz FG, Asche CV, et al. Clinical and socioeconomic burden of retinal diseases: can biosimilars add value? A narrative review. Ophthalmol Ther. 2025;14(4):621-641. doi:10.1007/s40123-025-01104-3
