Learn about common and serious Eylea side effects, what's normal after an injection, and warning signs that mean you should call your doctor right away.
If your doctor has recommended Eylea (aflibercept) for a condition like wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, or retinal vein occlusion, you're probably wondering about side effects. That's completely normal — and smart.
Eylea is an intravitreal injection, meaning it goes directly into the eye. While most people tolerate it well, there are both common and serious side effects to know about. This guide breaks them down so you know what's normal, what's not, and when to call your doctor.
Eylea is a VEGF inhibitor — a type of medication that blocks a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor. This protein causes abnormal blood vessels to grow and leak in the back of the eye, which leads to vision loss. By blocking VEGF, Eylea helps slow or stop that damage.
It's FDA-approved for several conditions including wet AMD, diabetic macular edema (DME), diabetic retinopathy, macular edema after retinal vein occlusion, and retinopathy of prematurity. For a deeper look, see our full guide on what Eylea is and how it's used.
These side effects occur relatively frequently and are usually mild. Most resolve on their own within a few days after the injection.
This is the most common side effect. It looks like a bright red spot on the white of your eye. It happens because the needle can break tiny blood vessels on the surface of the eye during the injection. It's painless and typically clears up within 1 to 2 weeks — similar to a bruise.
Mild to moderate eye pain or discomfort after the injection is normal. It usually lasts a few hours to a day. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen if needed.
Some patients notice small specks, spots, or lines drifting across their vision after an Eylea injection. These are floaters — tiny clumps in the vitreous gel inside the eye. They usually fade over a few days. However, a sudden increase in floaters could signal something more serious (see below).
The injection adds a small amount of fluid to the eye, which can temporarily raise eye pressure. Your doctor will usually check your pressure after the injection. In most cases, it returns to normal quickly.
The vitreous gel inside the eye can pull away from the retina after injection. This is often harmless but should be mentioned to your doctor, especially if you notice new floaters or flashing lights.
Over time, repeated injections may contribute to cataract development. This is more common with long-term treatment.
It may feel like there's something in your eye after the injection. This is usually from the antiseptic solution (betadine) used to clean the eye before the procedure, not the injection itself. It typically goes away within a day.
While rare, some side effects from Eylea can be serious and require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, call your retina specialist or go to an emergency room right away.
This is a serious infection inside the eye. Symptoms include:
Endophthalmitis is rare (occurring in less than 1% of injections) but can cause permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. If caught early, it can be treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms include:
Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. If you notice these symptoms, seek care immediately.
While mild pressure increases are common, a significant spike in eye pressure can cause pain, blurred vision, and nausea. If you experience severe eye pain after your injection, contact your doctor.
In rare cases, anti-VEGF medications like Eylea have been associated with an increased risk of blood clots, which can lead to stroke or heart attack. Symptoms to watch for include:
The overall risk is low, but patients with a history of cardiovascular disease should discuss this with their doctor.
Bleeding inside the eye can cause sudden vision loss or a significant increase in floaters. This needs prompt evaluation.
Most Eylea patients are older adults, and the medication is generally well-tolerated in this population. No dose adjustments are needed based on age alone. However, older patients may have a higher baseline risk for thromboembolic events.
Eylea may cause harm to a developing fetus based on how the drug works (blocking blood vessel growth is critical in fetal development). Women of childbearing age should use effective contraception during treatment. It's unknown whether Eylea passes into breast milk, so breastfeeding should be discussed with your doctor.
Eylea is FDA-approved for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature infants at a lower dose. Side effects in infants are monitored closely in a hospital setting.
Most side effects from Eylea are minor and manageable. Here are some practical tips:
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops to use for a few days after the injection to help prevent infection.
Eylea's side effect profile is similar to other anti-VEGF injections like Lucentis (ranibizumab), Avastin (bevacizumab), and Vabysmo (faricimab). The injection-related side effects (redness, pain, floaters) are essentially the same across all of these medications because they're all delivered the same way.
Beovu (brolucizumab), another alternative, has raised some additional safety concerns related to intraocular inflammation and retinal vasculitis, which is why some doctors prefer Eylea.
Most Eylea side effects are mild and temporary. Eye redness, mild pain, and floaters are the most common and usually resolve within days. Serious complications like endophthalmitis and retinal detachment are rare but require immediate medical attention.
The key is knowing what to watch for. If something doesn't feel right after your injection — especially worsening pain, sudden vision changes, or flashing lights — don't wait. Call your doctor.
For more information about Eylea, check out our guides on uses and dosage, how Eylea works, and drug interactions. If you're having trouble finding Eylea, visit medfinder.com to locate it near you.
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