Vabysmo (faricimab) is a prescription medication injected directly into the eye to treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Because it’s an eye injection, its side effects fall into two categories: reactions related to the injection procedure itself, and effects of the drug on the eye and body.
What Is Vabysmo Used For?
Vabysmo is FDA-approved for three retinal conditions: wet AMD, diabetic macular edema, and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion. It works by blocking two proteins involved in abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the retina — VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2 — making it the first FDA-approved medication to target both pathways at once. It’s administered by an ophthalmologist as an injection into the eye (intravitreal injection), typically starting with monthly doses before spacing out based on how the eye responds.
Most Common Vabysmo Side Effects
The most commonly reported side effects in clinical trials were:
- Cataract
- Conjunctival hemorrhage (blood on the white part of the eye)
- Eye pain or discomfort after the injection
- Floaters
Serious Vabysmo Side Effects
Because Vabysmo is delivered by injection into the eye, it carries injection-related risks that apply to this class of drugs generally, along with drug-specific risks:
- Eye infection (endophthalmitis) — a serious infection inside the eye that requires urgent treatment
- Retinal detachment — separation of the retina’s layers, which can threaten vision if untreated
- Intraocular inflammation, including a severe form affecting the retinal blood vessels (retinal vasculitis), which has been reported with Vabysmo and can lead to vision loss
- Increased eye pressure shortly after injection
- Blood clot events (thromboembolic events) such as heart attack or stroke — uncommon, but reported in clinical trials: about 1% of wet AMD patients and about 5% of DME patients treated with Vabysmo experienced one over the trial period
Anyone who develops eye pain, worsening redness, blurred or decreased vision, increased light sensitivity, or more floaters than usual after a Vabysmo injection should contact their eye doctor promptly, as these can be early signs of infection or inflammation. This is general information, not medical advice.
Who Shouldn’t Get Vabysmo
Vabysmo shouldn’t be given to anyone with an active eye or periocular infection, active intraocular inflammation, or a known allergy to faricimab or any component of the injection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is Vabysmo injected?
Treatment typically starts with monthly injections for the first several doses. Depending on how the eye responds, an ophthalmologist may then extend the interval between injections — for some patients, up to every 3 to 4 months.
Is Vabysmo the same as Eylea?
No. Both are injectable eye medications for similar retinal conditions, but Eylea (aflibercept) blocks VEGF only, while Vabysmo blocks both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2 — a dual mechanism unique to Vabysmo. The choice between them is made by an ophthalmologist based on the specific condition and how the eye responds to treatment.
Does the Vabysmo injection hurt?
The eye is numbed with anesthetic drops before the injection, so most patients describe mild pressure rather than sharp pain during the procedure. Some soreness, redness, or a gritty feeling in the eye for a day or two afterward is common.