Anti-VEGF treatments are crucial for managing retinal conditions that threaten your eyesight. Our experienced eye doctors provide these effective injections to help preserve vision and improve clarity.
Anti-VEGF is a class of medications designed to stop an overactive protein that promotes abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye. These treatments are critical in managing conditions where unwanted blood vessel formation can lead to vision loss. Our eye doctors use anti-VEGF injections as a safe and effective way to preserve and sometimes even improve eyesight.
Anti-VEGF stands for “anti–vascular endothelial growth factor,” a treatment that targets a naturally occurring protein in your body known as VEGF. Under normal conditions, VEGF plays a helpful role by stimulating the production of new blood vessels needed for healing, such as during tissue repair after an injury. However, in certain eye conditions, too much VEGF triggers the formation of abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina, which can leak fluids and blood, ultimately damaging your vision.
In diseases like wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and macular edema, the overproduction of VEGF leads to the development of fragile vessels. These vessels, prone to breaking and leaking, cause swelling and damage in and around the retina—a critical layer that supports clear, central vision. By stopping VEGF from working in the eye, anti-VEGF treatments help prevent progression of these conditions and reduce vision loss.
Here’s the thing: while VEGF is necessary for healing in other parts of the body, its misdirected activity in the eye can cause severe complications. Anti-VEGF injections are designed to bind to and neutralize VEGF in the retinal area, making them a cornerstone of modern retinal care.
The primary goal of anti-VEGF medications is to block the action of VEGF, thereby preventing the growth and leakage of abnormal blood vessels that can lead to vision deterioration. These drugs work by binding to the VEGF proteins with high precision, like a key fitting into a lock, which in turn stops the protein from initiating new vessel formation.
By reducing or eliminating these abnormal vessels, the medications help stabilize vision and may even improve clarity in some cases. This therapeutic approach not only safeguards the existing retinal structure but also minimizes the risk of fluid buildup, which can further blur vision. Think of it as a well-timed intervention that prevents a small problem from becoming a more significant issue in your eye’s delicate balance.
Anti-VEGF treatments are designed to provide targeted inhibition, meaning that only the eye is affected while the rest of the body continues to benefit from VEGF during processes such as wound healing. This localized effect is achieved by administering the medication directly into the vitreous — a clear, jelly-like substance inside your eye — ensuring that the treatment works where it is needed most.
Contact us today to find a top optometrist near you who specializes in Anti-VEGF treatments for retinal conditions.
Anti-VEGF medications have revolutionized the management of a number of retinal conditions by directly addressing the root cause of abnormal blood vessel growth. The following conditions are most commonly treated with anti-VEGF injections:
By targeting the underlying cause in these diseases, anti-VEGF treatments have significantly reduced the risk of severe vision loss. If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, our eye doctors may discuss anti-VEGF as a viable option to help manage or improve your vision.
Many patients initially feel nervous at the thought of having an injection in the eye, but the procedure is designed to be as quick and comfortable as possible. Before the injection, your eye is cleaned with a disinfectant to reduce the risk of infection, and anesthetic eye drops are applied to ensure you feel little to no pain.
An eyelid speculum is gently placed to hold your eyelids open during the injection. The anti-VEGF medication is then injected through the sclera—the white outer layer of your eye—into the vitreous. This process only takes a few seconds, and most patients report feeling only a slight pressure rather than significant pain.
Once the injection is complete, the speculum is removed, and your eye is cleaned once again with a saline solution. Although minimal discomfort or temporary blurriness may be experienced as the anesthetic wears off, these symptoms usually subside within a couple of days.
Contact us today to find a top optometrist near you who specializes in Anti-VEGF treatments for retinal conditions.
Anti-VEGF treatments are essential for managing retinal conditions and preventing vision loss. Learn more about their benefits and procedures.
