Avastin after Cataract Surgery

Question: How effective is the use of Avastin® after an operation for Cataracts with damage already on the Retina and Macula?

Answer: Although you do not state it we assume that you have some stage of Diabetic Retinopathy or Macular Degeneration. The progression of Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Degeneration are marked by the growth of "new blood vessels" which are very fragile and can break and hemorrhage easily causing additional damage to the Retina and Macula. Thus, your Cataract Surgeon may recommend that either he or she at the time of Cataract Surgery, or your Retinal Specialist after the surgery, place an injection of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti-VEGF) agent such as Avastin™ in order to retard the possible growth of new blood vessels in the Retina. This helps to protect against any new blood vessel growth and additional damage.

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