Eylea is a drug used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is also used to treat diabetic eye disease and other problems of the retina. It is injected into the eye to help slow vision loss from these and certain other diseases.
Eylea is the brand name for the drug, which is called aflibercept. It blocks the growth and leaking of fluid from abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye. Those blood vessels can leak and affect vision, causing vision loss from wet AMD and diabetic eye disease.
Avastin (bevacizumab) is another drug like Eylea. Avastin was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat different types of cancer. Its use to treat eye disease is considered “off-label.” The FDA allows “off- label” drug use if doctors are well informed about the product and studies prove the drug is helpful. Eylea may also be used off-label for some retinal conditions. Many studies have shown Avastin as safe and effective for eye disease since it was first used in 2005.
Research shows that Eylea and Avastin are both effective in slowing vision loss.
How does Eylea work?
Abnormal blood vessels need a body chemical called VEGF to grow. Eylea blocks VEGF, slowing the growth of blood vessels in the eye. Drugs that block the trouble-causing VEGF are called anti-VEGF drugs.
What conditions are treated with Eylea?
Eylea is used to treat the following eye problems:
What happens during Eylea treatment?
During an outpatient procedure, your ophthalmologist first numbs the eye to block pain. Then your doctor injects the Eylea directly into your eye.
Before the procedure, your ophthalmologist will clean your eye to prevent infection and numb your eye with medicine. A very thin needle is passed through the white part of your eye and the drug is injected. Usually you do not see the needle itself. You may need to continue having these injections over many months.
At times ophthalmologists will combine Eylea treatment with other treatments for the best chance of saving your vision.
What are the risks of Eylea treatment?
Every treatment can have side effects. It is important to understand the benefits and risks of any treatment you might have.
Common side effects include:
Any eye injection, including Eylea, may cause these problems, which are very rare:
Call your ophthalmologist right away if you have any of these problems within a few days of Eylea treatment.
If you have any questions about your eyes or your vision, be sure to ask. Your ophthalmologist is committed to protecting your sight.