Anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) medications are drugs that block the protein responsible for abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye. By suppressing VEGF, these medications reduce leakage and swelling at the macula, preserving and in many cases improving vision in conditions such as wet macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema.
The anti-VEGF medications currently available in Australia include Eylea (aflibercept), Lucentis (ranibizumab), Vabysmo (faricimab). The choice of medication depends on your specific condition, treatment history, and PBS eligibility. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the most appropriate option for you.
Anti-VEGF medications are administered as intravitreal injections, delivered directly into the vitreous cavity of the eye using a fine needle. The procedure is performed in the consulting rooms under topical anaesthetic and takes only a few minutes.
Many patients notice an improvement in vision within days to weeks of their first injection as fluid at the macula is reabsorbed. However, the full benefit of treatment may take several months and multiple injections to achieve. Some patients experience stabilisation rather than improvement, which is also a positive outcome in conditions such as wet AMD – replace AMD with wet macula degeneration.
Eylea and Lucentis are subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for wet AMD and certain other retinal conditions, significantly reducing the out-of-pocket cost of treatment. PBS eligibility criteria apply. Your ophthalmologist will confirm your eligibility and discuss any costs at your consultation.
Both Eylea and Lucentis are anti-VEGF medications that block abnormal blood vessel growth, but they work through slightly different mechanisms and have different dosing schedules. Eylea tends to have a longer duration of action. Vabysmo (faricimab) is a newer dual-action agent that also targets the Ang-2 pathway. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the most appropriate medication based on your specific condition and treatment response.
Yes. If one anti-VEGF medication is not producing an adequate response, your ophthalmologist may recommend switching to an alternative agent. This is relatively common practice and is known as a ‘switch’ or ‘crossover’. The decision is guided by your OCT imaging results and clinical response.
Anti-VEGF injections treat the wet (neovascular) form of AMD by suppressing abnormal blood vessel activity, but they do not cure or reverse the underlying disease process. They are highly effective at preserving vision and can improve it in many patients. Treatment is ongoing and cessation without ophthalmologist guidance may result in rapid vision loss.
Missing or delaying an injection can allow disease activity to recur and fluid to return to the macula, potentially leading to permanent vision loss. If you need to reschedule an appointment, please contact the practice as soon as possible so we can arrange an alternative date with minimal delay to your treatment.
Local side effects after injection may include temporary floaters, a red patch on the white of the eye (subconjunctival haemorrhage), mild discomfort, and brief blurring. Serious complications are rare. Systemic side effects from anti-VEGF therapy are uncommon at the doses used for eye injections, though your ophthalmologist will consider your medical history when selecting the appropriate agent.
