Eylea

People who have neovascular "wet" macular degeneration may receive injections of Eylea to help slow down or reverse vision loss. This prescription medicine comes as an injection that is given by a healthcare provider every month for 12 weeks, and then every two months after that. Possible side effects may include eye pain or blood spots on the white part of the eye.

Eylea Medication Information

What Is Eylea?

Eylea™ (aflibercept) is a prescription medication used to treat age-related macular degeneration. Specifically, this drug is approved to treat one type of macular degeneration called neovascular "wet" macular degeneration.

(Click Eylea Uses for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes This Medication?

Eylea is made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

How Does Eylea Work?

Wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal growth of the blood vessels in the back of the eye. The blood vessels grow behind the retina, underneath the macula (a part of the retina essential for detailed vision). These new blood vessels are abnormal, and are weak and prone to leaking. Leaking causes damage to the macula, causing "wet" macular degeneration.

Eylea is a part of an antibody that is designed to bind to and inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and placental growth factor (PGF). VEGF-A and PGF are naturally occurring proteins that encourage the growth of new blood vessels, including abnormal blood vessels in wet macular degeneration. By binding to VEGF-A and PGF, Eylea prevents this protein from encouraging new blood vessel growth. This helps to slow down, or even reverse, vision loss and macular damage.

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