Anti-VEGF injections treat various eye conditions that can threaten vision. This treatment involves administering medication directly into the eye. Its purpose is to preserve or improve vision by targeting biological processes that contribute to eye disease.
Understanding Anti-VEGF Injections
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a protein that plays a significant role in forming new blood vessels. In healthy eyes, VEGF helps maintain normal vascular structures. However, in certain eye diseases, excessive VEGF production triggers the growth of abnormal, fragile blood vessels.
These newly formed vessels are often leaky and can bleed into the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This leakage or bleeding can cause swelling, fluid accumulation, and scarring, damaging the macula, which is responsible for sharp, central vision. Macular damage can lead to distorted or blurred vision and, if untreated, significant vision loss.
Anti-VEGF medications block the activity of excessive VEGF protein. By binding to VEGF, these medications prevent the growth of new, unwanted blood vessels. This blockade also helps reduce leakage from existing abnormal vessels. The reduction in fluid and blood helps decrease swelling in the macula, protecting photoreceptor cells and preserving visual function.
The treatment inhibits abnormal angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and vascular permeability. Regular administration of these medications can stabilize or improve vision by controlling the disease process at a molecular level. This targeted approach minimizes impact on other healthy tissues in the eye.
Eye Conditions Treated
Anti-VEGF injections treat several eye conditions causing vision impairment. Primary conditions include wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula, leaking fluid or blood and causing rapid vision loss. Anti-VEGF therapy works to dry up these leaks and halt the growth of these damaging vessels, thereby stabilizing vision.
Another is Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). DME occurs in individuals with diabetes when high blood sugar damages retinal blood vessels, causing fluid leakage into the macula. This leakage leads to swelling and blurred vision. Anti-VEGF medications reduce this leakage and subsequent swelling, helping to improve visual acuity.
Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) also benefits from anti-VEGF treatment. RVO happens when a retinal vein blocks, leading to blood and fluid leakage into the retina, causing macular edema and bleeding. Injections resolve swelling and reduce fluid, restoring some vision. These conditions all share the common underlying problem of abnormal fluid leakage or blood vessel growth within the retina, which anti-VEGF therapy directly addresses.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Receiving an anti-VEGF injection is a quick procedure performed in a clinical setting. Before the injection, the eye is prepared to ensure comfort and minimize risk. Numbing drops are applied to the surface of the eye, effectively anesthetizing it so the patient feels little to no pain during the injection. The area around the eye is then cleaned with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection.
Once the eye is adequately numbed and cleaned, a small instrument may be used to gently hold the eyelids open, which helps prevent blinking. The doctor will then administer the medication using a very fine needle, injecting it directly into the vitreous gel, the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye. Patients typically report feeling only a slight pressure or a brief, dull sensation, rather than sharp pain. The entire process takes only a few seconds.
Immediately after the injection, vision may be temporarily blurry or hazy, which is a normal response to the medication. Some individuals might experience mild discomfort, a gritty feeling, or redness in the eye, similar to a speck of dust. These mild sensations usually subside within a day or two. Patients are advised to avoid rubbing their eyes and use prescribed eye drops as directed for post-procedure care.
Managing Potential Side Effects
Anti-VEGF injections are generally well-tolerated, but some individuals may experience mild, temporary side effects. Common temporary effects include redness at the injection site, irritation or grittiness in the eye, and the sensation of “floaters” or small dark spots in their vision. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days as the eye recovers. The redness is often due to a small subconjunctival hemorrhage, a harmless bruise on the white part of the eye, which clears up over a week or two.
Less common but more serious complications can occur, although they are rare. These might include an eye infection (endophthalmitis), retinal detachment, or increased eye pressure. These complications are diligently monitored by eye care professionals, and the risk is minimized through sterile techniques. Patients are advised on specific signs to watch for that might indicate a more serious issue, such as significant pain, severe vision loss, or persistent redness that worsens.
Should any concerning symptoms arise, or if mild symptoms persist beyond a few days, it is important to contact the eye doctor promptly. Prompt communication allows for timely assessment and management of any potential issues, ensuring the best possible outcome. Following post-injection care instructions also helps to reduce the likelihood of complications.