Eylea 8mg (aflibercept) is a higher-dose anti-VEGF injection licensed in the UK to treat wet age-related macular degeneration. At our partner clinics it costs from £1,250 per injection, all-inclusive of the consultant medical-retina assessment, OCT macular scan, the genuine Eylea 8mg dose and the sterile injection procedure. The higher 8mg dose is designed to control the disease with fewer injections per year than the standard 2mg dose for many patients.
What is wet AMD and how does Eylea 8mg treat it?
Wet age-related macular degeneration occurs when abnormal, fragile blood vessels grow beneath the macula — the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. These vessels leak fluid and blood, distorting and blurring central sight, often quite quickly. Prompt treatment is essential to protect your vision.
Eylea 8mg contains a higher dose of aflibercept, a medicine that blocks vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) — the signal that drives those leaking vessels. By switching off that signal, the injection dries the fluid, stabilises the macula and, in many patients, improves vision. Because the 8mg dose lasts longer in the eye, treatment intervals can often be extended after the initial loading phase. Learn how the options compare in our guide to wet AMD vs dry AMD treatment.
Signs you may need treatment
- Distorted vision — straight lines look wavy or bent
- A blur or blank patch in your central vision
- Colours appear duller or less vivid
- Difficulty reading or recognising faces
- Rapid change in one eye over days or weeks
Noticed sudden distortion or a central blur? Wet AMD needs prompt assessment. A same-week consultant appointment with OCT imaging confirms the diagnosis.
Book a macular assessmentAnti-VEGF injection options
Several anti-VEGF medicines are used for wet AMD in the UK. Your consultant recommends the most suitable option based on your scans, response to treatment and how frequently you can attend. Eylea 8mg is chosen where the aim is strong disease control with fewer visits.
Compare the full range on our anti-VEGF wet AMD injections page, and see the higher-dose detail on our Eylea HD 8mg treatment page.
What happens during an Eylea 8mg injection
The injection is a quick, sterile day-case procedure performed by a consultant medical-retina surgeon. You are awake throughout and the eye is fully numbed — most patients feel only slight pressure.
- An OCT macular scan checks the fluid under your macula and confirms treatment is needed.
- Anaesthetic drops numb the eye and the surface is cleaned with antiseptic.
- A small clip gently holds the eyelids and the Eylea 8mg dose is injected into the vitreous gel through the white of the eye.
- The injection takes seconds; the whole appointment is around 15 minutes.
- Your vision and eye are checked before you go home the same day.
Aftercare & recovery
Recovery is quick, though your eye may feel gritty for a day. Follow this simple guidance:
First 24 hours
Mild grittiness, watering or a small red patch on the white of the eye is normal. Avoid rubbing the eye and swimming. Use any prescribed drops.
Days 1–3
Any discomfort settles and the red patch fades over a week or two. Report worsening pain, increasing redness or a drop in vision urgently.
Loading phase
Wet AMD is usually treated with an initial series of injections a few weeks apart to bring the disease under control.
Extended intervals
Once stable, the higher 8mg dose often allows the gap between injections to be extended, guided by your OCT scans and monitored at each visit.
Your response is tracked with repeat OCT macular imaging at each visit so the interval can be tailored to your eye.
Cost & insurance
Our Eylea 8mg injection prices are all-inclusive: the consultant medical-retina assessment, OCT scan, the genuine Eylea 8mg dose, the sterile injection and your post-injection check.
- Self-pay: from £1,250 per injection.
- Insurance: recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna and WPA — we can help with authorisation.
- Course of treatment: wet AMD needs a loading series followed by maintenance; your consultant will explain the likely number of injections.
See the full breakdown on our Eylea HD 8mg cost guide, or read about the condition in our wet AMD treatment overview.