People with diabetic macular edema may get eye injections to help control their symptoms. These eye injections can improve vision and also stop the damage that causes vision to get worse. Most of these medicines are called anti-VEGF therapies because they block a substance in the eye called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). One of these medicines, Eylea, also blocks another substance called placental growth factor (PlGF) and may be an option for people with diabetic macular edema.
How Does Eylea Work for Diabetic Macular Edema?
Over time, people with diabetes may develop eye problems. One of the most common eye conditions caused by diabetes is called diabetic retinopathy. This condition affects the retina, which is the layer of the eye that processes the images that you see. When blood sugar levels stay high for a long time in people with diabetes, it can cause damage to small blood vessels. Damaged blood vessels can slowly leak fluid and blood into the retina. As diabetic retinopathy gets worse, the eye may begin to form new blood vessels to replace the leaky blood vessels. This is called proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
People with proliferative diabetic retinopathy may develop another eye condition called macular edema. The macula is the part of the retina that processes the images in the center of your vision (right in front of you). In macular edema, the macula swells and thickens. This can cause changes to your vision, such as blurry vision, double vision, floating spots, and dull colors. Some people may also lose part or all of their central vision.
The key to treating diabetic macular edema is to limit or stop the damage to the retina. Stopping the damage can help to improve vision and may also help to keep vision problems from getting worse. Some medicines, such as Eylea, are injected into the eye and can help to stop this eye damage.
The active ingredient in Eylea is a medicine called aflibercept, which blocks VEGF and PlGF, which play an important part in forming new blood vessels in the eye. By blocking these two substances, Eylea can slow down the formation of new, unstable blood vessels and reduce the leakiness and fluid buildup that causes vision issues in people with diabetic macular edema.
How Was It Studied?
Two clinical studies were done to see if Eylea was safe and effective for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. All of the people in these studies had diabetes and diabetic macular edema. Everyone was at least 18 years old, with an average age of about 62. A little more than half of the people in the studies were male (58%). Most of the people in the studies were White (82%), about 10% were Asian, and about 6% were Black. The race of the other people in the studies was not reported.
In both of these studies, Eylea was compared with a type of laser surgery called macular laser photocoagulation. This laser surgery works by sealing off some of the leaky blood vessels in the eye. Everyone in the study had an appointment for laser surgery at the beginning of the study, but some people received fake (or “sham”) surgery. Everyone also had regular appointments to receive medicine injections, although some people received placebo injections. This way, no one knew which treatment they were receiving as part of the study.
These studies measured effectiveness by testing each person’s best possible vision while wearing their glasses or contacts. This test was done before the study started and again after 1 year in the study.
What Benefits Were Seen in These Studies?
Overall vision. At the beginning of each study, everyone had a similar level of vision. After one year of treatment, people who used Eylea could see better than they could before the study started. People who had laser surgery, on the other hand, could see about the same as they could before the surgery. On average, people who used Eylea had larger improvements in their vision than people who had laser surgery.
Does the Medicine Keep Working After the First Year?
Both of these studies were continued for almost 3 years (34 months). On average, the people in the studies were able to see about as well after 34 months as they had after 1 year. Since diabetic macular edema causes vision to get worse over time, this means that both treatments helped to stop the damage to the eye.
People who used Eylea had bigger improvements in their vision after 1 year than people who received laser surgery, and these bigger improvements were still present after 34 months of treatment.
How Do I Use It?
Eylea is a liquid that is injected directly into the eye by a health care professional. This type of injection is called an intravitreal injection. When you start using Eylea, you will receive an injection every 4 weeks. After five doses, your injection schedule may change so that you only need an injection every 8 weeks.
When it is time to receive your injection, your health care provider will set up a device that will hold your eye open. Then they will place some drops into your eye. These drops will help to numb your eye during the injection and prevent infections. Before giving the injection, they may also wash out your eye with a solution that kills bacteria.
The pressure in your eye might increase right after receiving the injection of Eylea. This increased pressure usually goes away within an hour after the injection. Your health care provider will monitor your eye and your symptoms after each injection. During that time, it is important for you to let someone know if you are experiencing any pain in the eye or major changes to your vision.
How Quickly Will Eylea Work for Diabetic Macular Edema?
If Eylea is working, you will start to notice your vision improve within the first few weeks after your first injection. Over the first 5 months, you will receive an injection every 4 weeks, and your vision may continue to get better during this time.
It is important that you go to every appointment and receive all of your scheduled injections. If you will not be able to make it to an appointment, call your health care provider right away to reschedule your injection.
How Can I Prevent or Manage Side Effects?
Your vision may become blurry for a little while after you receive your Eylea injection. This short-term blurry vision is a normal side effect. While you wait for your vision to return to normal, it is best not to drive or operate any machinery.
In rare cases, Eylea can cause other types of changes to your vision, such as seeing floating dark spots or lines, flashing lights, or the sense that a curtain has been drawn over parts of your eye. These vision changes may be a sign of a serious condition. If you experience any of these vision changes or have severe eye pain, seek medical help right away.
These are not all of the possible side effects. Talk with your health care provider if you are having symptoms that bother you. If you experience anything that you think may be caused by Eylea, you can also report side effects to the FDA at 800-FDA-1088.
Are There Any Interactions With Other Medicines?
There are no known interactions between Eylea and other medicines. But it is still important for your health care provider to be aware of all the prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, or other supplements you take or have recently taken.
Is There a Coupon Card Available?
There is a savings coupon available from the manufacturer that may allow you to pay $0 for your prescription. Whether you are eligible depends on whether you have prescription insurance and what type of insurance you have. You can find out more at www.eylea.us/s/patient-support.
