Avastin Injection Treatment

What is Avastin Injection Treatment?

Avastin injection treatment is one of the treatment options available for correcting macular edemain a number of eye disorders. 

It is an anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medication that works by blocking the growth of new abnormal blood vessels. 

These are considered off label uses for Avastin, because it is FDA approved for the treatment of colorectal cancers.

What Conditions Does Avastin Injection Treatment Help?

Avastin injection treatment is prescribed for treating:

• age-related macular degeneration(AMD), 
• diabetic patients suffering from diabetic macular edema(DME) and
• retinal vein occlusions. 

Why is Avastin Injection Treatment Required?

Avastin injection treatment is required to ensure a higher quality of life for the patient. 

As the macular edema progresses, the patient can experience altered vision including:

• change of shapes and
• blurry vision. 

If the treatment is not provided, the associated growth of new blood vessels in the eye and edema can result in scarring and loss of central vision. 

Who is Avastin Injection Treatment Suitable For?

Avastin injection treatment is suitable for any individual who:

• Is not allergic to Avastin’s active ingredient, bevacizumab.
• Does not have an ongoing eye infection
• Does not have any eye pain or redness 

Preparation Before Avastin Injection Treatment

Avastin injection treatment is an outpatient procedure. 

In order to prepare for the treatment, the patient should be adequately counselled to ensure that the informed consent obtained is fully understood. 

The patient is also advised to not wear any makeup of the treatment. 

Steps in Treatment

It simply involves:

• making the patient comfortable, 
• administering a local topical anaesthetic to the eye. 
• the doctor gave the Avastin injection into the eye. 

The injection is initially given monthly, followed by a single injection every two months. 

After a year of treatment, the doctor will re-evaluate the patient and determine how the treatment should be continued.

What Should I Expect after Avastin Injection Treatment?

• The doctor will advise the patient to rest in his office after the procedure and provide refreshments.
• The doctor will then check the eyes of the patient under a microscope before discharge. 
• The patients are not allowed to drive immediately after the procedure, and should make alternative arrangements for transport. 
• The patient will also be prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops they should use as instructed. 
• Patients will experience blurry vision for up to 24 hours, but this varies from case to case. Visual recovery is very quick after the procedure.

Possible Risk or Complications of Avastin Injection Treatment

Avastin injection treatment carries the same risk as any eye treatment, which includes 

• eye pain, 
• altered vision and
• increased pressure inside the eye. 

In rarer cases, Avastin treatment can result in eye infection and even retinal detachment.