Frequently Asked Questions

There are 2 main types: Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) and Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO). Each type affects different parts of the retina.

Macular Edema following CRVO (MEfCRVO) occurs when the central retinal vein becomes blocked. Macular Edema following BRVO (MEfBRVO) occurs when one or more veins branching out from the central retinal vein become blocked.

MEfBRVO makes up 8 out of every 10 diagnosed cases of MEfRVO and is the most common type of RVO. MEfCRVO occurs less often than MEfBRVO, making up 2 out of every 10 diagnosed cases of MEfRVO.

Macular Edema following a Retinal Vein Occlusion (MEfRVO) occurs when fluid leaks into the macula as a result of the blocked retinal vein. This can result from CRVO (MEfCRVO) or BRVO (MEFBRVO).

EYLEA is a prescription medicine approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of MEfRVO, as well as Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (Wet AMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). You should not use EYLEA if you have an infection in or around the eye, eye pain or redness, or known allergies to any of the ingredients in EYLEA, including aflibercept.

Your eye doctor will diagnose you with a retina condition that may be treated with EYLEA. A retina specialist is an ophthalmologist specially trained to diagnose and treat retina conditions such as MEfRVO.

Not sure what to ask your doctor? Read our discussion guide.

EYLEA works by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein. At high levels, VEGF can cause abnormal blood vessels to grow in the eye and leak fluid (the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision).

Blocking VEGF can help reduce the fluid leaking into the macula.

EYLEA may work differently for different people. EYLEA has been studied in more than 3,000 people with certain diseases of the retina. Individual results may vary, but you can learn more about how EYLEA helped treat MEfRVO here. Discuss with your eye care team what treatment schedule with EYLEA may be right for you.

Anti-VEGF (Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) is a treatment for certain retinal diseases designed to block VEGF (a protein that, at high levels, can cause blood vessels to leak fluid and also result in the growth of abnormal blood vessels).

There is no cure for MEfRVO. Treatment with EYLEA, however, has been shown to help maintain or improve vision in many people with RVO. In 2 clinical studies, 358 people with MEfCRVO received injections of EYLEA (2 mg) either once every 4 weeks or control. In a clinical study, 181 people with MEfBRVO received injections of EYLEA (2 mg) either once every 4 weeks or control.

Anyone who has an infection in or around the eye, eye pain or redness, or known allergies to any of the ingredients in EYLEA, including aflibercept, should not use EYLEA.

Read more about safety with EYLEA.

The most common side effects reported in people receiving EYLEA are increased redness in the eye, eye pain, cataract, vitreous (gel-like substance) detachment, vitreous floaters, moving spots in the field of vision, and increased pressure in the eye.

Read more about safety with EYLEA.

EYLEA must only be administered by a qualified eye doctor. Injection into the eye with EYLEA can result in an infection in the eye and retinal detachment (separation of retina from back of the eye). Inflammation in the eye has been reported with the use of EYLEA. If your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, painful, or develops a change in vision, seek immediate care from an eye doctor.

In some patients, injections with EYLEA may cause a temporary increase in eye pressure within 1 hour of the injection. Sustained increases in eye pressure have been reported with repeated injections, and your eye doctor may monitor this after each injection.

There is a potential risk of serious and sometimes fatal side effects related to blood clots, leading to heart attack or stroke in patients receiving EYLEA.

Serious side effects related to the injection procedure with EYLEA are rare but can occur including infection inside the eye and retinal detachment.

You may experience temporary visual problems after receiving EYLEA and also during and/or after the eye doctor visits that will follow. Avoid driving or using machinery until your sight has recovered.

Because EYLEA is composed of large molecules, your body may react to it; therefore, there is a potential for an immune response (allergy-like) in patients treated with EYLEA.

Your eye doctor will examine, wash, and numb your eye and then administer EYLEA as an injection into the eye. Injection into the eye with EYLEA can result in an infection in the eye and retinal detachment (separation of retina from back of the eye). Inflammation in the eye has been reported with the use of EYLEA. Talk to your eye doctor if you experience any side effects, including eye pain, redness of the eye, light sensitivity, or blurring of vision.

Learn more about the treatment experience with EYLEA.

It is important not to miss a scheduled injection of EYLEA. If you do, be sure to make a new appointment as soon as possible.

Learn more about the treatment experience with EYLEA.

Each person responds to treatment with EYLEA differently, including any effects of treatment. Talk with your eye doctor about your individual response and expectations over time—he or she will monitor your progress at every step of your treatment plan.

You can learn how to monitor your vision at home with the Amsler Grid, too.

If you have government insurance (like Medicare) and need help with your EYLEA out-of-pocket costs, Independent Charitable Foundations may be available.

Independent charitable foundations have their own rules for eligibility and benefits. Regeneron does not influence or control the operations of independent charitable foundations and cannot guarantee assistance will be provided.

Eligible patients with commercial insurance may pay as little as a $0 copay for each EYLEA treatment with the EYLEA Copay Card. Subject to annual assistance limits.

EYLEA also has other programs available — depending on your insurance situation — to help eligible patients with the cost of EYLEA.

EYLEA4U® is a support program that may be able to help. Either you or your eye doctor's office can call 1-855-EYLEA4U (1-855-395-3248), Option 4, Monday through Friday 9 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time to get you started.

When your eye doctor prescribes EYLEA, whether you have private or government insurance (Medicare/Medicaid) or have no insurance coverage, you can be confident that EYLEA4U is here to help. And we can conduct a Benefits Investigation with your insurer to determine your coverage for EYLEA.