Eylea Side Effects: What You Need to Know Before Treatment
For millions worldwide, conditions like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy threaten the ability to read, drive, recognize faces, and live independently. But there's good news: treatments are advancing rapidly, and one medication in particular—Eylea (aflibercept)—is helping thousands take back control of their eyesight.
What Are Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy?
Before diving into treatment, it’s essential to understand the conditions themselves. Both macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are serious, progressive eye diseases, but they affect the eye in different ways.
- Macular degeneration primarily affects older adults and damages the macula—the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. The most severe form, wet AMD, involves abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina that can leak fluid and cause rapid vision loss.
- Diabetic retinopathy, on the other hand, is a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the retina. Over time, these vessels can swell, leak, or close off entirely, leading to vision problems or blindness.
Both conditions, if left untreated, can cause irreversible damage. That’s why early detection and timely treatment are critical.
How Eylea (Aflibercept) Helps Protect and Improve Vision
Eylea is part of a class of drugs known as anti-VEGF therapies. VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein that stimulates the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye—one of the root causes of vision damage in AMD and diabetic retinopathy.
Eylea works by:
- Blocking VEGF to prevent the growth of harmful blood vessels
- Reducing swelling and leakage in the retina
- Improving or stabilizing vision over time
Unlike older treatments that only slowed the progression of these diseases, Eylea has shown in clinical trials to actually improve vision in many patients when administered consistently (source).
What to Expect During Eylea Treatment
Eylea is administered through an injection directly into the eye, typically once a month initially, with the possibility of extending to every 8 weeks or longer once the disease is under control.
Though the thought of an eye injection might seem intimidating, the procedure is quick, relatively painless, and done under local anesthetic. Most patients report minimal discomfort and are able to resume normal activities soon after.
It’s important to follow your eye doctor’s recommended schedule closely. Sticking to the treatment plan is key to preserving your vision and seeing the best possible results.
Are There Any Side Effects or Risks?
Like any medical treatment, Eylea isn’t without potential side effects. The most common include:
- Mild eye discomfort or redness after injection
- Temporary increase in eye pressure
- Floaters or blurred vision immediately following treatment
More serious but rare risks include infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis), retinal detachment, or blood clots. However, these complications occur in a small percentage of patients, and your ophthalmologist will monitor your eye health closely to catch any issues early (source).
For most people, the benefits of Eylea far outweigh the risks—especially when considering the alternative of unchecked vision loss.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Eylea?
Eylea is FDA-approved for several retinal conditions, including:
- Wet age-related macular degeneration
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Diabetic macular edema (DME)
- Retinal vein occlusion (RVO)
If you have one of these conditions and your doctor detects signs of abnormal blood vessel growth or fluid in the retina, you could be a strong candidate for Eylea therapy.
It’s worth noting that early intervention is key. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chance of preserving or even improving your vision.
Don’t Wait: Speak to a Retina Specialist Today
Living with the fear of losing your sight can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to face it alone. Thanks to treatments like Eylea, people with macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy now have more hope than ever before.
If you've noticed changes in your vision—or if you've already received a diagnosis—talk to a retina specialist about your options. A simple exam and timely treatment could mean the difference between vision loss and vision preservation.
Don’t wait until symptoms worsen. Take the first step toward protecting your eyesight today.
