The patient is placed in bed and the eye is held open with a lid speculum. The eye is numbed with lidocaine (anesthetic) after which the injection is done. Artificial tear drops are placed in the eye and no patch is needed. The entire procedure lasts around 10 minutes.

The patient is instructed to return in a week or so, but sooner if there is a blurring of vision or pain. You can usually perform work with no restrictions. You may see a floater, which is due to the drug.

There is a small chance of heart attack or stroke. Infection is rare but may occur in 1 per 10000 injections.

Three brand names are used Lucentis (ranibizumab) or Avastin (bevacizumab), or Eylea (Aflibercept). Various trials have compared the first two, including the CATT trial. The studies show that they are virtual of the same efficacy, but Lucentis is safer in terms of almost having little chance of contamination, because of the way it is packaged. Due to affordability issues, Avastin is more widely used, though we have to remind patients that this is off-label. Eylea has very good results for diabetic macular edema, and also for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (PCV).

Ozurdex is a steroid implant that is injected into the eye. Its main advantage is its delivery system, in the form of an implant. Its duration of action is 3-4 months, unlike the anti-VEGF which lasts anywhere from 4-8 weeks only.  Its main use is for retinal vein occlusions and macular edema. Its side effect is the development of cataracts and increased eye pressure, so we use it in patients who already had or will soon undergo cataract surgery. Eye pressure is checked every 6 weeks and drops may be prescribed to lower the pressure. 

Off-label means the drug was manufactured and US FDA approved for a different purpose, eg Avastin is used for colon cancer. It does not mean it's bad, it's just that the main indication is different. In the real world, off-label drugs have always been used, eg aspirin is now used for clot prevention, but it was approved for fever and pain. 

Consult your Eye MD or Retina Physician as to which is best for your condition.