What to Expect During an Anti-VEGF Treatment

A comprehensive guide to anti-VEGF treatment: how it works, what to expect, risks, benefits, and supporting tips for patients.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 25, 2025

A comprehensive guide to anti-VEGF treatment: how it works, what to expect, risks, benefits, and supporting tips for patients.

Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) treatments have revolutionized the management of several serious eye conditions that threaten vision. These procedures are designed to halt the progression of abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage under the retina, offering patients a powerful tool to maintain their sight. This article provides a detailed look at what anti-VEGF treatment involves, conditions it addresses, how the therapy is performed, safety considerations, and practical advice for those preparing for or undergoing these injections.

Understanding Anti-VEGF Treatment

Anti-VEGF treatment refers to a group of medications that target and inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein that signals the formation of new blood vessels. In many retinal diseases, excess VEGF causes unwanted and leaky blood vessel growth under the retina, which can damage central vision.

How it works: By blocking VEGF, these drugs prevent new, abnormal vessels from forming and reduce swelling in the retina.
Primary goal: Stabilize vision, slow disease progression, and, in some cases, improve visual acuity.
Delivery method: The drug is injected directly into the eye (intravitreal injection).

Eye Conditions Treated with Anti-VEGF

Anti-VEGF therapy is indicated for various retinal and macular disorders, many of which can cause severe vision loss if untreated. Commonly targeted conditions include:

Wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD): Characterized by abnormal blood vessels under the macula causing rapid vision loss.
Diabetic macular edema (DME): Swelling in the macula due to leaking vessels, often associated with diabetes.
Retinal vein occlusion: Blockage of retinal veins can lead to fluid accumulation and macular edema.
Myopic choroidal neovascularization: Growth of new vessels under the retina linked to severe nearsightedness.
Other less common causes: Anti-VEGF agents may be used off-label for select other neovascular retinal diseases.

Common Anti-VEGF Medications

Several anti-VEGF drugs are available. They share the same fundamental mechanism but differ in structure, cost, and regulatory status.

Drug Name	Generic Name	Indications	Notes
Lucentis	Ranibizumab	FDA-approved for wet AMD, DME, retinal vein occlusion	Specifically formulated for eye use
Eylea	Aflibercept	Similar range as Lucentis	Longer dosing interval for some patients
Beovu	Brolucizumab	Wet AMD	Latest approved, less frequent injections
Avastin	Bevacizumab	Used off-label for wet AMD, DME, retinal vein occlusion	Originally developed for cancer therapy

Your ophthalmologist will recommend the most appropriate medication based on your condition, prior response, and access to treatment options.

Purpose and Benefits of Anti-VEGF Treatment

Vision stabilization: Anti-VEGF injections help prevent further vision impairment.
Preservation of central vision: Essential for activities such as reading and recognizing faces.
Potential visual improvement: Some patients report moderate improvement, especially when diagnosed and treated early.
Controlling disease activity: Reduces swelling and leakage, slowing or stopping the progression of damage.

While these treatments do not cure the underlying disease, they have dramatically improved outcomes for many who previously faced inevitable vision loss.

How Anti-VEGF Treatment is Administered

Treatment is typically performed as an outpatient procedure in a clinic. The process is streamlined to ensure effectiveness and minimize risks.

Pre-injection assessment: The healthcare team will review your current vision, answer questions, and explain the steps involved.
Preparation: After verifying your identity and eye to be treated, your eye will be numbed using anesthetic drops. Antiseptic drops are applied to prevent infection.
Procedure: The eyelids are gently held open with a speculum. Using a fine needle, the medication is injected into the vitreous—the gel-like substance inside your eye. Most people feel minimal discomfort, often described as pressure or a slight pinch.
Post-injection: The speculum is removed, and a nurse may clean the eye. Your vision is checked briefly, and you’ll discuss any immediate concerns with your doctor.

Timeline and Frequency of Injections

Induction phase: Injections are often given once a month for the first three to six months to gain disease control.
Maintenance phase: After initial stabilization, injections are spaced further apart (every six to eight weeks or even longer) as guided by disease activity and imaging findings.
Long-term therapy: Many patients need ongoing injections, sometimes for years.

The total number of injections varies widely; some patients require frequent treatments, while others may taper to less frequent dosing over time.

What to Expect Before, During, and After an Anti-VEGF Injection

Before the Appointment

Eat regular meals and take your usual prescription medications unless directed otherwise.
Arrange for transportation if your vision is likely to be blurry or sensitive following the procedure.
Bring a list of your current medications, including eye drops.
Avoid wearing eye makeup on the day of the procedure.

During the Appointment

You’ll be asked about any symptoms or changes in your vision.
Anesthetic and antiseptic drops are instilled into your eye.
The eyelids are kept open with a speculum (a gentle holding device).
The doctor injects the medication using a tiny needle, usually into the lower outer part of the eye.
The actual injection typically takes only a few seconds.

After the Procedure

Your eye may be slightly red, watery, or gritty for a few hours to a couple of days.
Temporary blurred vision or the appearance of floaters is common.
Avoid rubbing your eye, swimming, or using makeup for at least 24 hours.
If you notice severe pain, significant vision loss, or intense redness, contact your doctor immediately as these may be signs of complications.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Anti-VEGF Injections

While anti-VEGF therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated, all procedures carry some risks. Most complications are mild and short-lived.

Common side effects (up to 30%):
- Soreness, ache, or mild pain for 1–2 days
- Temporary floaters (spots that move across vision), usually resolve within a week
- Red or bloodshot appearance from minor bleeding under the conjunctiva (subconjunctival hemorrhage).
Less common but serious risks:
- Infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis)
- Increased eye pressure (possible glaucoma risk)
- Retinal detachment
- Internal bleeding
- Inflammatory reactions
- Cataract development

Severe complications are rare. The risk of serious, vision-threatening events is well under 1 in 1,000 injections. Permanent vision loss from these treatments is uncommon and often preventable with prompt care.

Effectiveness and Limitations of Anti-VEGF Therapy

Anti-VEGF agents have greatly improved the prognosis of retinal diseases. Most patients benefit from stabilized or modestly improved vision. However, it’s important to understand some limitations:

The majority of patients experience vision stabilization; dramatic improvement is less common.
Anti-VEGF drugs do not cure the underlying disease; chronic management and monitoring are necessary.
Early treatment yields the best outcome—advanced disease is less responsive.
The therapy may be expensive and logistically challenging, especially in low-resource settings.

As technology advances and newer drugs are introduced, injection intervals are lengthening and side effect profiles are improving.

Tips for Patients Receiving Anti-VEGF Injections

Ask questions and share any concerns about the procedure or your disease.
Attend all scheduled appointments—timely injections are vital for disease control.
Report significant changes in your vision immediately, especially after an injection.
Keep a record of your treatment dates and vision measurements.
Maintain overall eye health—monitor for signs of other eye diseases and keep chronic conditions like diabetes under control.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Does the injection hurt?

A: Most patients report only mild discomfort or pressure during the procedure due to effective numbing drops applied before the injection.

Q: How soon will I see improvement?

A: Some notice improvement in a few weeks, but for many, the benefit is gradual or simply stabilization rather than regained vision. Continued injections as prescribed are key for success.

Q: Are anti-VEGF injections safe?

A: Yes, they are generally safe. Severe side effects are rare, but prompt reporting of unusual pain or vision changes is important to catch complications early.

Q: Will I need injections forever?

A: Many patients require ongoing, although less frequent, injections long term. Some move to a monitoring-only stage if disease activity ceases, but periodic check-ups remain necessary.

Q: Can I perform daily activities after treatment?

A: Yes. Most resume normal activities soon after, though you may prefer to rest for a few hours and avoid eye strain, rubbing, or makeup for 24 hours after the injection.

Key Takeaways

Anti-VEGF treatments are highly effective at preserving vision in several serious eye diseases, often administered through regular injections into the eye.
The risk of serious side effects is low; most complications are mild and temporary.
Early diagnosis, adherence to scheduled injections, and regular follow-up visits are crucial for the best results.
Consult your ophthalmologist for personalized advice and any concerns about treatment, side effects, or disease monitoring.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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