Patient Procedures at Mountain View Eye Center
Avastin
Bevacizumab, a drug sold under the brand name Avastin, was originally developed as a cancer treatment drug. It is used “off label” in the treatment of retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, wet macular degeneration, macular edema (swelling), and retinal vein occlusion. This medication is injected into the eye, where it works to block the growth of abnormal blood vessels that develop in the back of the eye and cause vision loss.
Avastin works to prevent abnormal blood vessels by blocking the chemical that they use to grow, called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This type of drug is known as an anti-VEGF.
During the procedure, your ophthalmologist will clean your eye with an iodine solution. She will then administer a numbing drop. When the eye is numb, she will inject the medication into the eye. Some people may experience anxiety over eye injections, but the procedure is fast and generally painless.
Common Side effects include:
- Eye soreness/Discomfort
- Eye Redness
- Foreign body sensation
- Temporary blurry vision
- Floaters
Rarely, more serious side effects may occur. If you experience the following symptoms after an eye injection, call (907) 328-2920:
- Eye Pain
- Increased Redness
- Sensitivity to light
- Changes in vision
