Aflibercept is an FDA-approved treatment for wet macular degeneration. It works by lowering levels of an enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1. MMP-1 is responsible for breaking down the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the layer of cells that surround and support the light-sensing cells in our eyes. This leads to inflammation and damage that lead to vision loss in people with wet age-related macular degeneration (WAMD). Here are some additional facts one must know:

Aflibercept injections
Aflibercept injection is a verified prescription used to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is given as a single injection, usually right in the eye. Your doctor may recommend that you do this procedure at an eye clinic under local anesthesia. Aflibercept injections work because they help the body absorb more blood and nutrients from foods, which helps prevent further damage from leaking proteins. This treatment is not permanent but can improve vision in some people with AMD by slowing down its progression and preventing loss of central vision (the part of your retina that detects color).

Aflibercept intravitreal injections
Aflibercept is a therapy that uses intravitreal injections to treat wet age-related macular degeneration.
Aflibercept works by blocking some of the genes responsible for forming the blood vessels in your eye, which are damaged by certain AMD types. The side effects of Aflibercept include a stinging or burning sensation when injected in your eye or around it (this usually goes away after about 5 minutes). One may also experience eye pain and inflammation (this may be severe enough to make you want to scratch your eye).

How does Aflibercept work?
The therapy uses Aflibercept, an investigational prescription that blocks the growth of abnormal blood vessels. The FDA approved it in 2014 for use with diabetic macular edema (DME). Aflibercept is also being studied to treat wet macular degeneration, an age-related eye disease that causes loss of vision due to swelling in the retina.

How does Aflibercept work in wet macular degeneration?
Aflibercept treats wet macular degeneration, a disease that damages the macula. It is also known as geographic atrophy or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Aflibercept works by inhibiting an enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 in the retina. When MMP-2 is inhibited, it allows more time for other proteins to work and heal damaged tissue around your eyes, preventing further damage from occurring. Aflibercept has no known side effects when used on its own. Still, it may cause some adverse reactions if taken with certain medications such as antidepressants or blood pressure pills due to their similar chemical structures.

Is Aflibercept used orally or infiltrated?
Aflibercept is infiltrated into the eye and is given every 2-4 weeks. They are usually given under the skin near where you would treat arthritis or other problems in your hands and feet. Aflibercept is also used when the patient has a disease that affects their retina (the tissue that lines the inside of your eyeball)

How is Aflibercept used in wet age-related macular degeneration?
If you have wet age-related macular degeneration, Aflibercept is used to treat your disease. It is implanted into the eye using a small needle and then slowly released over several days or weeks. You may need more than one treatment with this medicine if you have multiple symptoms of dry AMD (AMD without choroidal neovascularization).

Conclusion
Aflibercept is one treatment option for wet macular degeneration. It stops the growth of new blood vessels in damaged areas of the eye. This can slow down or stop the progression of wet macular degeneration and help improve vision.