Eylea HD / Aflibercept 8 mg
Also known as Aflibercept 8 mg, High-Dose Aflibercept, Eylea 8 mg, Anti-VEGF Injection, Intravitreal Aflibercept
Bottom Line
Eylea HD is a higher-dose aflibercept eye injection. It treats leaking retina diseases and may allow longer time between shots for some patients.
Eylea HD is aflibercept 8 mg, a medicine injected into the eye. It blocks vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a signal that makes abnormal blood vessels leak and grow.
The prescribing information lists use for wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and macular edema after retinal vein occlusion 1.
In the PULSAR and PHOTON trials, aflibercept 8 mg maintained vision with longer planned dosing intervals than aflibercept 2 mg for many patients 2 3.
How It Works
Many retina diseases leak because the eye makes too much vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This signal makes fragile blood vessels grow and leak.
Aflibercept is a protein that traps this signal. Eylea HD uses an 8 mg dose, which can last longer in the eye for some patients.
Less leaking can dry the macula and protect central vision. The medicine controls disease but does not cure it.
Conditions Treated
The prescribing information lists several retinal diseases for Eylea HD 1.
- Wet age-related macular degeneration. Abnormal vessels leak under the macula.
- Diabetic macular edema. Diabetes causes swelling in the macula.
- Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes damages retinal blood vessels.
- Macular edema after retinal vein occlusion. A blocked vein causes swelling.
Your retina scan guides whether treatment is working and how far visits can be stretched.
Risks and Side Effects
Common short-term effects include a red spot on the white of the eye, mild ache, blurry vision, floaters, and scratchiness.
Rare but serious risks include eye infection, retinal detachment, eye pressure rise, retinal blood vessel inflammation, and blood-clot events. The prescribing information warns patients to report pain, redness, light sensitivity, or blurred vision without delay 1.
Cost and Insurance
Eylea HD is a high-cost injected medicine. The drug cost is often about $2,000 or more per dose before insurance, plus the visit, imaging, and injection fee.
Medical insurance often covers treatment when the diagnosis and imaging meet plan rules. Prior authorization is common.
Ask the retina office about copay support, foundation help, and lower-cost alternatives. Your actual cost depends on your plan and deductible.
Common Questions About Eylea HD
Next Steps
- 1Ask your retina specialist which diagnosis Eylea HD is treating.
- 2Review your scan and the planned injection interval.
- 3Tell your doctor about recent stroke, heart attack, blood clot, infection, or eye inflammation.
- 4Call urgently for pain, severe redness, light sensitivity, or vision drop after an injection.
- 5Ask the billing team about prior authorization and copay support.
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