Anti-VEGF injections for retinal disease: a patient primer
Plain-language primer on anti-VEGF therapy for retinal disease - what it treats, what to expect, and why dosing intervals vary.
VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is a signal that prompts new blood vessel growth. In several retinal diseases - wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema, retinal vein occlusion - this signal is overactive, causing leaky vessels that damage central vision.
Anti-VEGF medicines block the signal. They are delivered as small injections directly into the eye, usually monthly at first and then less frequently if vision stabilises. The procedure is brief and well-tolerated for most patients but does require recurring clinic visits.
What to expect: vision usually stabilises, and many patients see meaningful improvement. Continued therapy is needed because if injections stop, the underlying signalling resumes.
Newer agents are designed to last longer between injections, reducing the visit burden - though real-world dosing intervals are usually slightly shorter than the maximum on the medicine's label.
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