Avastin® in Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Retinal injections, often called intravitreal injections, are specialized medications that when injected, can help treat diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion. Eye Health Vision Centers currently uses Avastin, Eylea, and Lucentis for the treatment of retina-related conditions, especially macular degeneration. Although some retina conditions are not curable, retinal injections may slow their progression and help patients maintain their vision longer. Some patients even see an improvement in their vision following injections. Eye Health Vision Centers offers retinal examinations and retinal injections at all of our South Coast-area facilities, which include Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, and Taunton, MA and Middletown, RI.

Approved by the FDA for the treatment of macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and age-related wet macular degeneration, Lucentis is an anti-VEGF medication that works to repair vision loss by slowing the production of the VEGF protein within the body. In patients with retina-related conditions, the VEGF protein is a catalyst for the growth of abnormal blood vessels, which can ultimately lead to fluid buildup and vision impairment.

Avastin is a cancer treatment that is commonly used by ophthalmologists for the treatment of common retinal conditions. This injectable medication treats vision loss (that results from age-related wet macular degeneration, as well as diabetic retinopathy) by blocking the growth of the abnormal blood vessels responsible for damaging the retina and affecting vision. Patients will see the slowed progression of their eye condition and may even attain clearer, crisper vision.

Similar to Avastin and Lucentis, Eylea is FDA approved to treat wet age-related macular degeneration by blocking the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye. Without treatment, these vessels can begin to leak, affecting vision and leading to vision loss. The medication chosen for you by your ophthalmologist will depend on a number of factors, including the type, phase, and severity of your retina condition.

Ideal candidates for retinal injections are patients that have been diagnosed with a retinal condition. These patients are likely experiencing vision-related symptoms, including but not limited to flashes and floaters, blurred vision, lack of clarity, and change of acuity. Retinal injections are often the first line of defense against retinal conditions and are typically chosen before resorting to laser surgery.

Your injection will be administered by a member of our ophthalmology team as an outpatient procedure with local anesthesia. The eye will be numbed with anesthetic eye drops before the procedure begins. Next, a member of the Eye Health Vision Centers team will clean your eye with an antiseptic solution before injecting the chosen medication directly into the eye. Depending on the type chosen and your condition, injections may be used as frequently as once a month to maintain eye health and protect your vision.

You should expect discomfort and a scratching sensation after the anesthesia wears off. Patients sometimes develop bleeding on the surface of the eye, floaters, increased pressure, and inflammation after injections. These side effects typically resolve on their own or can be treated with eye drops. Our team will schedule a follow-up visit to ensure the medication is working properly and your eyes are responding well. You should carefully adhere to any instructions given to you following your injection.

To learn more about the retinal injections we offer and the benefits they provide, contact Eye Health Vision Centers today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team. If you are experiencing the symptoms of a retinal condition and need a treatment plan that you can trust to protect your vision, you are looking in the right place. Call one of our greater South Coast-area facilities today to get the help you deserve.