What are the different types of RVO?
What is LUCENTIS® (ranibizumab injection)?
What are the possible side effects of LUCENTIS?
Who should not use LUCENTIS?
How does LUCENTIS work?
How is LUCENTIS given?
What are the goals of treatment with LUCENTIS?
What if I miss a dose of LUCENTIS?
How long will I be treated with LUCENTIS?
Is LUCENTIS a cure for RVO?
Will I get RVO in my other eye?
What should I expect following a LUCENTIS treatment?
How soon can I expect results with LUCENTIS?
What if my insurance changes?
What is RVO?
Veins in your eye—known as retinal veins—are an important part of your eye's normal circulation. They move blood out of your eye toward your heart. A retinal vein occlusion—or RVO—is the blockage of one of these veins. It occurs without warning. RVO can be a serious condition that in some cases can lead to vision loss in the affected eye.
While anyone can get a retinal vein occlusion, it tends to happen to people who are over 50 years old. People with certain medical conditions have an increased risk of RVO. These conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, and hardening of the arteries. Other factors that may contribute to RVO include smoking, obesity, and oral contraceptives.
Back to top
What are the different types of RVO?
There are 2 types of retinal vein occlusion: branch RVO (or BRVO) and central RVO (or CRVO). The type refers to where this blockage occurs in the eye.
In central RVO, the blockage occurs in the central or main retinal vein at the back of the eye.
In branch RVO, the blockage occurs in the inner portion of the eye, where the retinal vein "branches out" into smaller veins.
Back to top
What is LUCENTIS® (ranibizumab injection)?
LUCENTIS is a prescription medicine for the treatment of patients with Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wet AMD) and Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO).
Back to top
What are the possible side effects of LUCENTIS?
In clinical trials, serious side effects related to the injection were rare. These included serious eye infection, detached retina, and cataracts. The most common eye-related side effects were red eye, eye pain, small specks in vision, the feeling that something is in your eye, and increased tears. The most common non–eye-related side effects were high blood pressure, nose and throat infection, and headache.
Back to top
Who should not use LUCENTIS?
You should not be treated with LUCENTIS if you have any eye infections.
Back to top
How does LUCENTIS work?
LUCENTIS is designed to block the blood vessel leakage and abnormal blood vessel growth that can lead to vision loss. It does this by targeting harmful proteins. Taken as recommended by your Retina Specialist, LUCENTIS may prevent these proteins from causing more damage.
Back to top
How is LUCENTIS given?
LUCENTIS is given as an injection into your eye. Your Retina Specialist will first clean your eye and then numb your eye to limit discomfort before giving you the injection. The recommended dosing schedule that has been tested in clinical studies is 1 injection per month.
Back to top
What are the goals of treatment with LUCENTIS?
With LUCENTIS, your Retina Specialist may be able to improve your vision and prevent further vision loss from RVO. Be sure to speak to your Retina Specialist about the specific goals for your treatment.
Back to top
What if I miss a dose of LUCENTIS?
Speak to your Retina Specialist about the recommended dosing schedule for your treatment. If you have missed an appointment for a LUCENTIS treatment, call your Retina Specialist to find out when you should schedule an appointment for your next treatment.
Back to top
How long will I be treated with LUCENTIS?
The dosing schedule that has been tested in clinical trials and approved by the FDA is 1 injection per month. You should speak to your Retina Specialist about your goals and expectations with LUCENTIS treatment.
Back to top
Is LUCENTIS a cure for RVO?
LUCENTIS is not a cure for RVO. Some patients may be able to improve their vision or prevent further vision loss from RVO. However, in some cases the damage from RVO can be so severe that vision loss may be permanent.
Back to top
Will I get RVO in my other eye?
Few people will get retinal vein occlusion in both eyes. However, you should talk to your doctor about addressing your risk factors to reduce the chances of RVO occurring again in either eye.
Back to top
What should I expect following a LUCENTIS treatment?
After the injection you may have some redness on the white part of your eye at the injection site. You may also see a few specks in your vision. These are common reactions to the injection, and they usually go away within a few days. Contact your Retina Specialist if your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, painful, or has a change in vision.
Back to top
How soon can I expect results with LUCENTIS?
You may not notice any immediate changes. Keep in mind that everyone is different, and your results may differ. Your Retina Specialist will regularly monitor your progress to determine the right treatment schedule for you.
Back to top
What if my insurance changes?
If your insurance changes, call your Retina Specialist office staff immediately. And if you've been in contact with LUCENTIS® Access Solutions™, make sure you notify them as well.
If you have additional questions, please contact our Nurse Call Center at 1-866-LUCENTIS (1-866-582-3684), Monday-Friday, 9AM-8PM ET.
Back to top
