Overview
Lucentis is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy (DR), two vision-threatening complications of diabetes. It may be prescribed to adults with these conditions to help reduce swelling in the retina and slow or reverse vision loss. Lucentis is also known by its drug name, ranibizumab injection.

Lucentis is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor. It works by blocking VEGF, a protein that contributes to abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the eye, which can damage vision in people with diabetes.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Lucentis is typically administered by intravitreal injection (injection into the eye) once a month (approximately every 28 days). Lucentis should be given exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Lucentis include conjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding on the white of the eye), eye pain, vitreous floaters (spots or shadows in vision), and increased intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye).

Rare but serious side effects may include endophthalmitis (a severe eye infection), retinal detachment (separation of the retina from the back of the eye), and arterial thromboembolic events (blood clots in arteries that may lead to stroke or heart attack). In clinical trials, fatal events occurred more frequently in people with DME or DR treated monthly with Lucentis compared to those who did not receive the drug.

For more information about this treatment, visit:
Lucentis (Ranibizumab Injection) for Intravitreal Injection — Genentech