People with a condition called wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) often receive eye injections. These shots can help 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 wet AMD.
How Does Eylea Work for Wet AMD?
As you age, you may develop a condition that causes your vision to change. One of the most common eye conditions in older people is called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This condition affects the retina, which is the layer of the eye that processes the images that you see. The center portion of the retina is called the macula. This portion processes the images in the center of your vision (right in front of you). In AMD, the macula becomes worn down and stops working as well.
When AMD first develops, you may not notice any symptoms. Over time, though, it may cause blurry vision and/or change the appearance of colors. Some people may also develop dark areas in the center of their vision. In dry AMD, which is the most common type of AMD, vision slowly gets worse over time as the cells in the macula wear out and die off. This can eventually lead to blind spots in the center of your vision.
The most serious type of AMD is called wet AMD. In this form of AMD, small blood vessels begin to leak blood and fluid into the macula. The eye may also begin to grow new blood vessels to replace the leaky ones. These new blood vessels may also be unstable and leaky. This can cause a person’s vision to get worse very quickly. If wet AMD is not treated, you can lose your central vision.
The key to treating wet AMD is to limit or stop the damage to the macula that is being caused by the leaky blood vessels. Stopping the damage can help improve vision and may also help stop vision problems from getting much worse.
Eylea, which is injected into the eye, can help to stop this eye damage. The active ingredient in Eylea is a medicine called aflibercept, which blocks two substances in the body from working. These substances, called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF), 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, reducing the leakiness and fluid buildup that causes vision issues in people with wet AMD.
How Was It Studied?
Two clinical studies were done to see if Eylea was safe and effective for the treatment of wet AMD. All of the people in these studies had wet AMD and had started to grow new blood vessels in their eyes.
Everyone was at least 50 years old, with an average age of about 75. A little more than half (57%) of the people in the studies were female. Most of the people (85%) in the studies were White, about 11% were Asian, and less than 1% were Black. The races of the other people in the studies were not provided.
Eylea was compared with another medicine, called ranibizumab (Lucentis). Ranibizumab, which is also injected into the eye, blocks VEGF. The people in the studies did not know which medicine they were receiving.
These studies measured efficacy by testing each person’s best possible vision while wearing their glasses or contacts. This test was done before the studies started and again after 1 year into the studies.
What Benefits Were Seen in These Studies?
Overall vision. After a year of treatment, most people (95%) who used Eylea had at least as much vision as they did before the studies started. About the same number of people who used ranibizumab also had at least as much vision as they did before the studies started.
Since people with wet AMD tend to lose their vision relatively quickly, their vision would usually be much worse after a year. This means that both of these medicines were helping to stop the damage to the eye.
Some people in the studies had better vision after 1 year than they did before the studies started. These improvements in vision were similar for all people in the studies, on average, no matter which medicine they were using.
Total number of shots needed. Everyone received a shot once every month when the studies started, but then the injection schedule changed. After the first 3 months, the people who used Eylea received an injection either every 4 weeks or every 8 weeks. The people who used ranibizumab received an injection every 4 weeks for their entire study.
The people who received Eylea every 8 weeks maintained their vision just as well as the people who received Eylea every 4 weeks or ranibizumab every 4 weeks. This means that people who use Eylea may only need a shot every 8 weeks (every 2 months).
How Do I Use It?
Eylea is a liquid that is injected directly into the eye by a health care professional. This type of shot is called an intravitreal injection. When you first start using Eylea, you will receive a shot every 4 weeks. After 3 doses, your injection schedule may change so that you only need a shot every 8 weeks. After you have been using this medicine for a full year, your health care provider may discuss a different injection schedule with you.
When it is time to get your shot, 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 shot 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. Your health care provider will monitor your eye and your symptoms after each shot. During that time, it is important for you to let someone know if you have any pain in the eye or major changes to your vision.
How Quickly Will Eylea Work for Wet AMD?
If Eylea is working, you should notice that your vision is no longer getting worse within the first few weeks after your first shot. During the first 3 months, you will get a shot every 4 weeks. You may notice your vision getting better during this time.
It is important that you go to every appointment and receive all of your scheduled shots. If you will not be able to make it to an appointment, call your health care provider right away to reschedule it.
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 have 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 (800-332-1088).
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 drugmaker 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.
