Treatment Overview
Aflibercept Intravitreal Injection is a targeted anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapy used to treat retinal conditions involving abnormal blood vessel growth, leakage, or macular swelling. Aflibercept (Eylea®) works by blocking VEGF and PlGF (placental growth factor), reducing edema and preventing further retinal damage.
In Korea, aflibercept injections are performed with advanced diagnostics, precision-guided delivery systems, and AI-assisted monitoring protocols:
- OCT and OCT-A for detailed macular imaging
- AI-based retinal thickness analysis for personalized injection intervals
- Micron-precision intravitreal delivery systems
- Topical anesthesia and sterile no-touch technique
- Ultra-fine 30–32G micro-needles for minimal discomfort
- Digital treatment tracking to optimize dosing intervals
- Optional combination therapy with laser or steroids for severe edema
Aflibercept is a first-line treatment for wet AMD, diabetic macular edema (DME), macular edema from retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and other neovascular retinal diseases.
Purpose & Benefits
Purpose
- Reduce retinal swelling by blocking VEGF and PlGF
- Prevent abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina
- Stabilize or improve central vision
- Manage chronic macular conditions requiring long-term therapy
- Complement laser or surgical treatments in complex disease patterns
Benefits
- Rapid reduction in macular edema
- Proven improvement in vision and retinal anatomy
- Long-lasting effect compared to older anti-VEGF options
- Minimally invasive, outpatient, no-incision procedure
- Korean clinics use AI-guided interval planning for optimal dosing
- Little downtime; normal activities resume quickly
- Effective across AMD, DME, and RVO
Ideal Candidates
Aflibercept Intravitreal Injection in Korea is ideal for:
- Patients with wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
- Individuals with Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
- Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)-related macular edema
- Individuals with myopic CNV (choroidal neovascularization)
- Patients requiring long-term anti-VEGF maintenance therapy
- Those who prefer extended dosing intervals compared to older agents
- Patients who need combination therapy with laser or surgery
Possible Risks & Complications
Minor / Transient Issues
- Mild eye irritation or tearing
- Temporary floaters or small air bubbles
- Mild redness at injection site
- Brief light sensitivity
Rare / Serious Risks
- Infection (endophthalmitis)
- Increased intraocular pressure
- Retinal tear or retinal detachment (very rare)
- Intraocular inflammation
- Allergic reaction to aflibercept
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage
How Korean Clinics Minimize Risks
- Strict no-touch injection technique
- Sterile, laminar airflow procedure rooms
- Image-guided injection planning
- Intraocular pressure monitoring pre- and post-procedure
- AI-assisted tracking for inflammation or edema recurrence
- Regular OCT follow-up to ensure therapeutic response
Related Diagnostic & Treatment Techniques
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) – Measure macular thickness
- OCT-Angiography (OCT-A) – Map abnormal vessel growth
- Fluorescein Angiography – Assess leakage and CNV activity
- Laser Photocoagulation – Adjunct for DME or RVO
- Intravitreal Steroid Implants – Alternative for steroid-responsive edema
- Vitrectomy for Severe DME – For tractional pathology
- AI-driven treatment interval algorithms – Optimize injection frequency
Treatment Process in Korea
Step 1 – Preoperative Assessment
- Comprehensive eye evaluation including VA and IOP
- OCT/OCT-A to determine edema severity
- AI-based analysis for recommended injection interval
- Discussion of treatment schedule (loading + maintenance)
Step 2 – Injection Procedure
- Topical anesthetic and antiseptic preparation
- Eyelid speculum placement
- Ultra-fine needle injection into the vitreous cavity
- Optional post-injection IOP check
- OCT confirmation if needed
Step 3 – Postoperative Follow-Up
- Exam within 1–2 weeks if first injection
- Monthly OCT during loading phase
- Interval-adjusted follow-up every 1–3 months
- AI-assisted monitoring for reactivation
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Setting: Outpatient intravitreal injection suite
Recovery & After-Care
After-Care Guidelines
- Expect slight redness or mild irritation
- Avoid rubbing the eye for 24 hours
- Continue normal daily activities unless advised otherwise
- Use prescribed antibiotic drops
- Monitor for pain, vision loss, or severe redness
- Attend scheduled OCT imaging sessions
Recovery Timeline
Immediate: Mild pressure sensation or floaters
24–48 Hours: Eye returns to normal comfort
1 Week: Visual stabilization and edema reduction begins
Ongoing: Monthly to quarterly injections as needed
Results & Longevity
Expected Results
- Significant reduction in macular swelling
- Improved or stabilized vision
- Reduced risk of disease progression
- Fast therapeutic response within weeks
- Reliable outcomes with Korea’s imaging-guided protocols
Longevity
- Effects last 4–12 weeks depending on disease type
- Korea uses treat-and-extend and AI-optimized intervals
- Long-term therapy required for most patients
- Stable results with consistent follow-up
Why Korea Is a Top Destination
- Leading retinal specialists with extensive anti-VEGF experience
- Advanced OCT/OCT-A systems for precision monitoring
- AI-based algorithms to personalize injection schedules
- Ultra-sterile injection suites with advanced equipment
- Seamless integration with diabetes or AMD care programs
- English-speaking ophthalmology teams
Unique Korean Innovations
- AI-driven retina analytics for personalized dosing
- Digital disease activity dashboards for long-term monitoring
- Ultra-fine needle techniques for near-painless injections
- Combination treatment pathways (laser + injection + steroids)
- High-resolution widefield imaging for vascular assessment
Cost Range (Indicative Estimate)
| Package | Price (KRW) | Approx. USD | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aflibercept Intravitreal Injection (Single Dose) | ₩450,000 – ₩850,000 | ~$340 – $650 | Drug + injection + OCT |
| Loading Phase Package (3 Monthly Injections) | ₩1,300,000 – ₩2,400,000 | ~$980 – $1,830 | 3 injections + imaging + AI monitoring |
| Treat-and-Extend Maintenance Package | ₩500,000 – ₩1,000,000 / visit | ~$380 – $760 | Injection + OCT + IOP check |
| Annual Retina Monitoring Package | ₩300,000 – ₩700,000 | ~$230 – $530 | OCT/OCT-A + angiography + consultation |
Popular Clinics in Korea
- Kim’s Eye Hospital (Seoul)
- Gangnam Severance Hospital Retina Center
- Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH)
- B&VIIT Eye Center (Gangnam)
- BGN Eye Clinic (Seoul & Busan)
- NUNE Eye Hospital (Daegu)
- Glory Seoul Eye Clinic
- Dream Eye Center (Seoul)
