Anti-VEGF Injections: What They Are, How They Work, and What They Treat

When your eyes start losing vision because of abnormal blood vessels growing where they shouldn’t, anti-VEGF injections, a class of treatments that block vascular endothelial growth factor to stop leaky or overgrown blood vessels in the eye. Also known as VEGF inhibitors, these injections are now the first-line defense against vision loss from conditions like wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. They don’t cure the disease, but they stop it from getting worse—and in many cases, they even help you see better.

VEGF is a protein your body makes to grow new blood vessels. That’s useful when you’re healing a wound. But in your eye, too much VEGF causes fragile, leaky vessels to sprout under the retina or in the vitreous. These vessels bleed, swell the retina, and blur your vision. Anti-VEGF drugs like ranibizumab, aflibercept, and bevacizumab lock onto VEGF and neutralize it. The result? Less fluid, less swelling, and slower damage. These injections are given directly into the eye, usually every 4 to 8 weeks at first. It sounds intense, but most people tolerate it well—numbing drops make it quick and barely uncomfortable.

It’s not just for macular degeneration. diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the retina often responds just as well. If you’ve been told your eyes are leaking fluid or you have new blood vessel growth, anti-VEGF shots might be your best shot at keeping your sight. Even macular edema, swelling in the central part of the retina caused by fluid buildup from various sources—like vein blockages or inflammation—can be treated with these injections. They’re not magic, but they’re one of the most effective tools we have.

What you won’t find in most doctor’s offices is a one-size-fits-all plan. Some people need shots every month for months. Others stabilize after a few and go longer between treatments. Your eye doctor will track your progress with scans and vision tests to adjust the schedule. And while these injections are focused on the eye, they’re part of a bigger picture. Managing blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol matters just as much. You can’t just rely on the shot—you need to take care of your whole body.

There are no pills that work as well. Oral meds can’t reach the eye in strong enough doses. Laser therapy helps, but it often damages healthy tissue. Anti-VEGF injections target the problem directly, with fewer side effects than older methods. That’s why they’ve become standard care in just over a decade. They’re not cheap, and they’re not fun—but for millions of people, they’ve meant the difference between reading the news and not seeing the words.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides on how these treatments fit into broader health strategies—from managing diabetes to understanding insurance coverage for eye meds. Whether you’re considering your first injection or wondering why your doctor switched your drug, the posts here give you the facts without the fluff.