Bevacizumab Eye Injection: Uses, Brands & Dosage

Bevacizumab is an anti-VEGF biologic medicine given as an injection into the eye to treat various retinal conditions by stopping abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage.

Drug class	Anti-VEGF Biologic
Type	Single
Forms	Intravitreal Injection
Common strength	1.25 mg / 0.05 mL
Common Indian brands	Avastin (used off-label in the eye)
Prescription status	Prescription (hospital use, off-label)

What Bevacizumab is used for

Bevacizumab is a medicine used to treat several serious eye conditions that affect the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. These conditions often involve the growth of abnormal blood vessels or fluid leakage, which can severely impact your vision. By treating these conditions, Bevacizumab aims to preserve and sometimes improve your eyesight.

Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (Wet AMD): This condition causes blurred vision or a blind spot in your central vision due to abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid or blood into the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision.
Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO): A common complication of diabetes, DMO occurs when high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak fluid into the macula and leading to swelling and blurred vision.
Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO): This happens when a vein in the retina gets blocked, leading to blood and fluid leakage, swelling (oedema), and vision loss.
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): A disease that affects premature babies, where abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina and can lead to retinal detachment and blindness if not treated.
Neovascular Glaucoma: A severe type of glaucoma caused by the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels on the iris and in the drainage angle of the eye, leading to a dangerous increase in eye pressure.

Your retina specialist will determine if Bevacizumab is the right treatment for your specific eye condition.

How it works

Bevacizumab belongs to a category of medicines called Anti-VEGF Biologics. VEGF stands for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, which is a natural substance in your body that plays a key role in the growth of new blood vessels. In certain eye conditions, too much VEGF is produced, leading to the growth of abnormal, leaky blood vessels in the retina. These abnormal vessels can cause swelling, bleeding, and damage to the delicate retinal tissue, resulting in vision loss.

Bevacizumab works by blocking the action of VEGF. By doing this, it helps to stop the growth of these abnormal blood vessels and reduces the leakage of fluid from them. This action helps to reduce swelling in the retina, prevent further damage, and in many cases, improve vision. Essentially, it targets the root cause of many retinal diseases that involve problematic blood vessel formation.

How it’s used

Bevacizumab is administered as an intravitreal injection, which means it is given directly into the vitreous humour, the jelly-like substance that fills the centre of your eye. This procedure is always performed by a retina specialist in a hospital setting under strict sterile conditions.

The typical dosing involves monthly injections initially. After this initial phase, your retina specialist will assess your response to the treatment and adjust the dosing schedule as needed. This might mean injections are given less frequently, based on the activity of your eye condition and your visual outcomes. It is crucial to attend all your scheduled appointments for these injections to ensure the best possible results and to monitor your eye health.

Before the injection, your eye will be numbed with anaesthetic eye drops to minimise discomfort. The area around your eye will also be cleaned thoroughly to prevent infection. You may feel a slight pressure during the injection, but it is generally well-tolerated. After the injection, your doctor will give you specific instructions for aftercare.

Always follow your ophthalmologist’s exact instructions.

Brands available in India

Avastin (used off-label in the eye)

Brand availability and pricing vary; confirm with your pharmacist.

Please note

Given as an injection inside the eye by a retina specialist. After any intravitreal injection, seek help IMMEDIATELY if you develop increasing pain, redness, sensitivity to light or a drop in vision — these can be signs of a serious infection (endophthalmitis).

Precautions & side effects

Bevacizumab is a very widely used and economical anti-VEGF option in India for various eye conditions. However, it is important to understand some key precautions and facts about its use:

Off-label use: Bevacizumab is primarily licensed as a cancer drug. Its use for eye conditions is considered ‘off-label’. This means that while it is not specifically approved by regulatory bodies for eye use, it is widely accepted and used by ophthalmologists worldwide, including in India, due to its proven effectiveness and cost-efficiency.
Sterile Preparation: Since the medicine is typically supplied in vials intended for cancer treatment and these vials are split into multiple doses for eye injections, it is absolutely critical that Bevacizumab is prepared under strict sterile pharmacy conditions. This minimises any risk of contamination and infection. Pristine Eye Hospitals adheres to the highest standards of sterile preparation for your safety.
Administration by Specialist: This medicine is always given as an injection inside the eye by a retina specialist. It is not a medicine you can administer yourself.
Serious Infection Risk (Endophthalmitis): This is a high-level warning. After any intravitreal injection, there is a small but serious risk of developing an eye infection called endophthalmitis. It is crucial to be aware of the symptoms and seek immediate medical help if they occur.

After any intravitreal injection, seek help IMMEDIATELY if you develop increasing pain, redness, sensitivity to light, or a drop in vision. These can be signs of a serious infection (endophthalmitis) and require urgent attention from your eye doctor. Do not delay seeking care if you experience these symptoms.

Your doctor will discuss all potential risks and benefits with you before starting treatment with Bevacizumab.

Understanding Your Eye Condition and Treatment

At Pristine Eye Hospitals, we understand that being diagnosed with an eye condition can be concerning. Many of the conditions treated with medicines like Bevacizumab, such as Wet AMD, Diabetic Macular Oedema, and Retinal Vein Occlusion, affect the macula – the central part of your retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. These conditions often involve abnormal blood vessel growth or leakage, leading to swelling and damage that can blur your vision, create blind spots, or even lead to severe vision loss if left untreated. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible care to preserve and improve your vision.

Bevacizumab is part of a class of medicines known as anti-VEGF treatments. These treatments have revolutionised the way we manage many retinal diseases. By targeting the specific factors that cause abnormal vessel growth and leakage, these injections can stabilise your vision, reduce swelling, and in many cases, lead to significant visual improvement. It’s important to remember that these are chronic conditions, and treatment often requires ongoing monitoring and injections to maintain the benefits. Your retina specialist will work closely with you to develop a personalised treatment plan and explain what to expect at each stage.

General Eye Care and Hygiene

Maintaining good eye hygiene is always important, especially when undergoing eye treatments. While Bevacizumab is an injection and not an eye drop, general eye care principles still apply. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your eyes or the area around them. Avoid rubbing your eyes, especially after an injection, as this can introduce germs or irritate the treated eye. If you use other eye drops for different conditions, make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions on how and when to use them. If you wear contact lenses, your doctor will advise you on when it is safe to resume wearing them after an intravitreal injection. Typically, you will need to avoid contact lenses for a few days to allow your eye to heal and reduce the risk of infection.

For general eye health, ensure you have a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids. If you have diabetes, strict control of your blood sugar levels is paramount to prevent progression of diabetic eye complications. Regular follow-up appointments with your eye doctor are crucial, even if your vision seems stable, as many retinal conditions can progress silently. Protecting your eyes from excessive sun exposure by wearing UV-protective sunglasses can also contribute to long-term eye health.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

While intravitreal injections are generally safe procedures, it is vital to be aware of potential complications and know when to seek urgent medical attention. The most serious, though rare, complication after an eye injection is an infection inside the eye, known as endophthalmitis. This condition requires immediate treatment to prevent severe vision loss.

You must contact Pristine Eye Hospitals or your retina specialist immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after your Bevacizumab injection:

Increasing eye pain: Pain that gets worse over time, rather than improving.
Increasing redness: The white part of your eye becoming significantly redder.
Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia): Finding bright lights very uncomfortable or painful.
A significant drop in vision: A sudden or noticeable worsening of your eyesight.
Pus or discharge from the eye.

These symptoms could indicate a serious infection or other complication. Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment; seek help immediately. Early detection and treatment are critical for preserving your vision. Our team at Pristine Eye Hospitals is always here to support you and address any concerns you may have, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you experience any unusual symptoms after your treatment.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bevacizumab used for?

Bevacizumab is an anti-VEGF biologic medicine used to treat several serious eye conditions that affect the retina. These include Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (Wet AMD), Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO), Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO), Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), and Neovascular Glaucoma. It helps by stopping abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the eye.

How does Bevacizumab work?

Bevacizumab works by blocking a substance called VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). In certain eye conditions, too much VEGF leads to the growth of abnormal, leaky blood vessels in the retina. By blocking VEGF, Bevacizumab helps to stop these vessels from growing and reduces fluid leakage, thereby reducing swelling and helping to preserve or improve vision.

What are the common brands of Bevacizumab used in India for eye conditions?

The primary brand of Bevacizumab used for eye conditions in India is Avastin. It is important to note that Avastin is used 'off-label' for eye conditions, meaning it is licensed as a cancer drug but widely and safely used by ophthalmologists for eye treatments due to its effectiveness and cost-efficiency.

How is Bevacizumab administered?

Bevacizumab is given as an intravitreal injection, which means it is injected directly into the eye. This procedure is performed by a retina specialist in a hospital setting under strict sterile conditions. Initially, injections are typically given monthly, and then the frequency is adjusted by your doctor as needed based on your eye condition.

Do I need a prescription for Bevacizumab?

Yes, Bevacizumab is a prescription-only medicine and is used exclusively in a hospital setting. It is administered by a retina specialist and cannot be obtained or self-administered by patients.

What are the key precautions I should be aware of with Bevacizumab?

A key precaution is that Bevacizumab is used 'off-label' for eye conditions and vials are split into multiple doses, so it must be prepared under strict sterile pharmacy conditions. The most important warning is to seek help IMMEDIATELY if you develop increasing pain, redness, sensitivity to light, or a drop in vision after the injection. These can be signs of a serious eye infection (endophthalmitis) and require urgent medical attention.

References

Medically reviewed by Dr. C Jagadesh Reddy, Chief Surgeon: Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery — last reviewed 2026-07-28.

This page is for general education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never self-medicate or reuse an old prescription. Always consult a qualified ophthalmologist before starting, changing or stopping any eye medicine.