Anti-VEGF Therapy at Washington Eye Institute
If you are noticing blurred or distorted central vision, or have been told that fluid is building up in your retina, anti-VEGF injection therapy may help protect and stabilize your sight.
Anti-VEGF medications block the protein responsible for abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid leakage in the retina, helping to preserve the detailed central vision you rely on for reading, driving, and recognizing faces. Our retina team serves patients throughout the Washington, DC metro area from our Greenbelt, Rockville, and Cumberland, Maryland locations.
20M+
Americans Affected by AMD
NIH All of Us Research Program, 2025 & CDC Vision Health Data
Retina Treatment Specialists
What Is Anti-VEGF Injection Therapy?
VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein your body naturally produces to signal new blood vessels to form. In certain retinal conditions, this protein is overproduced, causing fragile, abnormal vessels to develop beneath or within the retina. These vessels leak blood and fluid into the surrounding tissue, leading to swelling in the macula and threatening your central vision.
Anti-VEGF medications work by blocking this protein at the source. Delivered through an intravitreal injection (an injection placed directly inside the eye), these treatments help reduce fluid buildup, slow abnormal vessel growth, and protect the detailed central vision you depend on for everyday activities like reading and driving. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has two forms — dry and wet — and anti-VEGF therapy specifically targets the wet form, where abnormal blood vessel growth occurs beneath the retina.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Each anti-VEGF protocol is tailored to your specific retinal condition, response patterns, and visual goals.
Ongoing Retinal Monitoring
We track your progress with advanced optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging at every visit to help ensure your treatment is delivering optimal results.
Your Retina Treatment Team
Our retina team focuses on conditions affecting the macula and retinal vasculature, including diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, and retinal vascular disease. Using advanced diagnostic techniques and individualized treatment plans, we deliver anti-VEGF treatments designed to stabilize and improve your vision.
Specialized Retina Expertise
Advanced training in retinal disease diagnosis and treatment
Patient-Centered Approach
Compassionate care with clear communication at every step
Advanced Imaging Expertise
OCT and angiography guided treatment decisions
Comprehensive Retina Care
Medical management of diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, and retinal vascular conditions
Retina Treatment Specialist
Why Choose Us for Anti-VEGF Care
Washington Eye Institute provides comprehensive retina injection treatment backed by advanced technology and specialized expertise. As a Georgetown University and Washington Hospital Center residency program training site with 862 Google reviews and a 4.7-star rating, our practice brings clinical trial participation and access to the latest anti-VEGF therapies to every patient we treat.
Thorough Retinal Evaluation
Every patient receives a detailed retinal examination using OCT imaging and fluorescein angiography to accurately assess disease activity and guide treatment decisions.
Precision Injection Techniques
Our retina team performs intravitreal injections with meticulous sterile technique and patient comfort measures, helping ensure safe and effective delivery of anti-VEGF medication.
Individualized Follow-Up Care
We tailor your injection frequency and medication choice based on your imaging results and visual progress, using treat-and-extend protocols to minimize unnecessary visits.
Is Anti-VEGF Therapy Right for Your Condition?
Anti-VEGF injections are most commonly recommended for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion. They are also used in managing inflammatory eye conditions such as autoimmune-related uveitis, infectious uveitis, and chronic inflammatory eye disease when abnormal vessel growth or fluid leakage is involved. If you have been experiencing changes in your central vision, your retina specialist can determine whether this treatment is appropriate for you.
The best outcomes are typically achieved when treatment begins early, before significant or permanent damage occurs to the retinal tissue. Our team also manages retinal tears, macular pathology, and chronic inflammatory eye disease as part of a comprehensive approach to retina care. A comprehensive retinal evaluation with OCT imaging is the first step in developing your personalized treatment plan.
If you have diabetes, annual dilated eye exams are recommended to screen for diabetic retinopathy before symptoms develop. Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina over time, and early detection through routine screening gives you the best chance of preserving your vision. Patients over 50 should also discuss routine retinal exams with their eye care provider to monitor for early signs of macular degeneration. A comprehensive eye exam is the foundation of preventive retina care.
Early detection is critical for retinal conditions. Starting treatment with anti-VEGF therapy promptly gives you the best chance of preserving your central vision and maintaining your quality of life.
Signs You May Benefit from Anti-VEGF Therapy
Advanced Anti-VEGF Treatments
We offer a full range of anti-VEGF medications and intravitreal therapies for retinal conditions, including both FDA-approved and clinically established options.
Intravitreal Injection Therapy for Retinal Conditions
Intravitreal injection therapy delivers anti-VEGF medication directly into the vitreous cavity (the gel-filled space inside the eye), where it can reach the retina and begin working to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid leakage.
This targeted approach allows your retina specialist to place the medication exactly where it is needed most, providing faster and more effective results than systemic treatments for conditions like wet macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.
How Anti-VEGF Injection Therapy Works
Retinal Imaging & Assessment
Your specialist performs OCT scans and imaging to evaluate fluid levels, retinal thickness, and disease activity.
Numbing & Preparation
We apply anesthetic eye drops to numb your eye and carefully sterilize the area for a safe procedure.
Intravitreal Injection
Your specialist precisely injects the anti-VEGF medication into the vitreous cavity using a fine-gauge needle in seconds.
Post-Injection Monitoring
We check your eye pressure and comfort before you leave, and follow-up imaging tracks your treatment response.
Treat-and-Extend Protocol
Anti-VEGF therapy typically begins with a loading phase of closely spaced injections to bring the condition under control. Once your retina stabilizes, your specialist will gradually extend the time between injections using a treat-and-extend approach. This protocol reduces the total number of office visits while maintaining strong visual outcomes. Your specialist will determine the right schedule for you based on your OCT imaging and treatment response at each visit.
Combination Laser Treatment
For certain retinal conditions, laser photocoagulation may be used alongside anti-VEGF injections to seal leaking blood vessels and reduce the need for frequent injections over time.
Retinal Condition Warning Signs
Recognizing these symptoms early can help protect your central vision. If you notice any of these changes, schedule a retina evaluation right away.
If you experience sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, or a sudden increase in floaters, seek emergency eye care immediately.
Advanced Anti-VEGF Diagnostic Technology
We use the most advanced retinal imaging systems to diagnose, monitor, and guide your anti-VEGF treatment with precision.
OCT Retinal Imaging
High-resolution cross-sectional scans of the retina to detect fluid, swelling, and structural changes guiding treatment decisions.
Fluorescein Angiography
Detailed dye-based imaging that reveals blood flow patterns, leaking vessels, and areas of retinal damage.
Indocyanine Green Angiography
Specialized imaging that visualizes deeper choroidal blood vessels to identify hidden sources of leakage.
Fundus Photography
High-definition color images of the retinal surface to document disease progression and treatment response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are anti-VEGF injections painful?
We apply anesthetic drops to numb your eye before the injection, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain during the procedure. Some mild discomfort or a gritty sensation may occur afterward but typically resolves within a day. Your comfort is a priority, and we take steps to minimize any discomfort throughout the process.
How long does each anti-VEGF injection appointment take?
The injection itself takes only seconds, and the entire appointment — including preparation, the procedure, and a brief post-injection check of your eye pressure and comfort — typically lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. You do not need to set aside an entire day for the visit. Most patients resume their normal routine shortly after leaving the office, though you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your first appointment.
Will I need anti-VEGF injections for the rest of my life?
The duration of treatment varies depending on your specific condition and how your eye responds. Anti-VEGF therapy is typically an ongoing treatment rather than a one-time fix — most patients need regular injections over months or years to maintain results. Some patients are able to gradually extend the time between injections or pause treatment when their condition is stable, while others require ongoing therapy to maintain their vision. Your retina specialist will reassess your treatment plan at each visit and adjust the schedule based on your results.
What are the risks of anti-VEGF injections?
As with any medical procedure, anti-VEGF injections carry potential risks. Most patients experience only mild, temporary effects such as minor redness or irritation at the injection site. Serious complications are rare when the procedure is performed under proper sterile technique. If you experience sudden vision changes, severe pain, or increased redness after your injection, contact our office right away so we can evaluate your eye promptly.
Can anti-VEGF therapy restore vision I have already lost?
In many cases, anti-VEGF therapy can improve vision that has been reduced by fluid buildup or swelling in the retina. However, vision that has been lost due to permanent scarring or long-standing damage to the retinal tissue may not be recoverable. Starting treatment promptly gives you the best chance of preserving and recovering your central vision. It is important to understand that anti-VEGF therapy typically requires ongoing injections — it is not a one-time treatment. Most patients need regular injections over months or years to maintain results.
What is the difference between Lucentis, Eylea, and Avastin?
All three medications work by blocking VEGF to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid leakage in the retina. Lucentis and Eylea are FDA-approved specifically for retinal conditions, while Avastin is widely used off-label based on strong clinical evidence. They differ in their molecular structure, dosing intervals, and cost. Your retina specialist will recommend the medication that best fits your diagnosis, treatment history, and the characteristics of your condition.
Should I stop taking blood thinners before my injection?
In most cases, you do not need to stop blood-thinning medications before an anti-VEGF injection. Stopping anticoagulants without guidance from your prescribing physician can carry its own risks. We recommend discussing your current medications with our team before your appointment so we can provide personalized guidance based on your health history.
What should I expect after my anti-VEGF injection?
Most patients report minimal discomfort after an anti-VEGF injection. It is normal to experience mild redness, a gritty sensation, or slight watering of the eye for a day or two. You may also notice small floaters or a bubble in your vision, which typically resolves on its own. Avoid rubbing your eye and follow any post-injection instructions provided by your care team. If you notice sudden vision changes, increasing pain, or significant redness, contact our office right away so we can evaluate your eye promptly.
Schedule Your Retina Evaluation Today
Our retina team is ready to evaluate your vision and develop a personalized anti-VEGF treatment plan. We see patients at our Greenbelt, Rockville, and Cumberland, Maryland locations, serving communities including College Park, Lanham, Bowie, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Frostburg, and Lavale.