Name of the Procedure:

Injection of aflibercept, 1 mg (commonly known as Eylea Injection)

Summary

The Injection of aflibercept (Eylea) involves administering a medication directly into the eye to treat various retinal diseases. This procedure aims to improve or stabilize vision by targeting abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid leakage in the eye.

Purpose

• Medical Conditions Addressed: Aflibercept injections are used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), diabetic retinopathy, and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
• Goals: The procedure aims to reduce swelling, slow the progression of vision loss, and in some cases, improve visual acuity.

Indications

• Symptoms and Conditions: Blurred or distorted vision, dark spots in central vision, difficulty reading or recognizing faces.
• Patient Criteria: Patients diagnosed with wet AMD, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, or macular edema following RVO.

Preparation

• Pre-Procedure Instructions: Patients may be advised to avoid wearing eye makeup and to arrange for transportation, as vision may be temporarily affected.
• Diagnostic Tests: Eye examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography to assess the condition and plan treatment.

Procedure Description

1. Anesthesia: Local anesthesia via eye drops to numb the eye.
2. Sterilization: The eye and surrounding area are thoroughly cleaned to prevent infection.
3. Injection: Using a fine needle, aflibercept is injected into the vitreous humor (center of the eye).
4. Post-Injection: The eye is rinsed, and antibiotic drops may be administered to prevent infection.

Duration

The injection procedure typically takes about 15-30 minutes.

Setting

The procedure is performed in an outpatient clinic or a specialized ophthalmology center.

Personnel

• Healthcare Professionals Involved:
  • Ophthalmologist (eye surgeon)
  • Ophthalmic nurse or assistant

Risks and Complications

• Common Risks: Mild pain, redness, and irritation at the injection site.
• Rare Risks: Infection (endophthalmitis), increases in intraocular pressure, retinal detachment, cataracts.
• Management: Antibiotic drops for infection, emergency care for severe complications.

Benefits

• Expected Benefits: Reduction in fluid buildup, slowing progression of vision loss, potential improvement in vision.
• Timeline: Some patients may notice an improvement within a few weeks, while others may require multiple injections over months.

Recovery

• Post-Procedure Care: Use prescribed eye drops, avoid rubbing the eye, monitor for signs of infection or complications.
• Recovery Time: Most patients return to normal activities the next day, with minor restrictions such as avoiding strenuous activities.
• Follow-Up: Regular follow-up appointments to assess treatment efficacy and plan additional injections if needed.

Alternatives

• Other Treatments: Laser therapy, other anti-VEGF injections (like bevacizumab or ranibizumab), photodynamic therapy.
• Pros and Cons:
  • Laser Therapy: Less frequent treatments but may be less effective for some conditions.
  • Other Anti-VEGF Injections: Similar in purpose but may vary in efficacy and side effects.
  • Photodynamic Therapy: Useful for specific conditions, though often used in conjunction with other treatments rather than standalone.

Patient Experience

• During the Procedure: Mild pressure or discomfort when the injection is administered; the numbing eye drops help minimize pain.
• After the Procedure: Temporary blurry vision, mild irritation, and soreness; over-the-counter pain relief can be used if needed.
• Pain Management: Eye drops for anesthesia, antibiotic drops to prevent infection, pain relief medications for post-procedure comfort.