Faricimab, sold as Vabysmo, is the first bispecific antibody approved for intravitreal use in ophthalmology. Unlike earlier anti-VEGF agents that block only vascular endothelial growth factor, Faricimab simultaneously targets both VEGF-A and Angiopoietin-2, two proteins that drive retinal vascular instability and fluid leakage. This dual mechanism translates into stronger fluid suppression, longer dosing intervals, and meaningful injection burden reduction for patients managing diabetic macular edema or wet age-related macular degeneration over the long term.

According to Dr. Mayank Bansal, a leading retina specialist at the Best Eye Hospital in Delhi,
“Faricimab represents a meaningful shift in how we manage treatment-resistant DME and wet AMD. By blocking both VEGF-A and Angiopoietin-2 simultaneously, it addresses vascular instability that single-target agents simply cannot reach. ” 

How Does Faricimab Compare to Earlier Anti-VEGF Agents?

The core clinical advantage of Faricimab lies in its dual target mechanism and the extended dosing intervals it supports in both DME and wet AMD.

Cost figures reflect current Indian market pricing and vary by centre. The total annual cost depends on how many injections the individual patient requires once stable intervals are established. For a full overview of all injection agents available at Claritas, see eye injections in Delhi.

Who Benefits Most from Faricimab?

Not every patient with DME or wet AMD needs Faricimab as a first-line choice. Its advantages are most pronounced in specific clinical scenarios.

• Persistent fluid despite prior anti-VEGF therapy: Patients who have received multiple rounds of Aflibercept or Ranibizumab but still show intraretinal or subretinal fluid on OCT are the strongest candidates. 
• DME in patients with poor diabetes control: Angiopoietin-2 levels are particularly elevated in chronically inflamed, poorly controlled diabetic eyes. Faricimab’s anti-Ang-2 action addresses this directly, making it the preferred choice when systemic glucose control remains suboptimal.
• Patients seeking longer intervals: Faricimab supports personalised treat-and-extend protocols reaching up to 16 weeks in both indications. For patients who find monthly or 8-weekly visits burdensome, stable Faricimab treatment can halve annual clinic visits compared to monthly Ranibizumab.
• Bilateral wet AMD or DME: When both eyes need treatment, reaching a 16-week stable interval means both can be treated in the same sitting roughly every four months, significantly reducing total annual procedure visits.
• Treatment-naive patients with high disease activity at baseline: YOSEMITE, RHINE, TENAYA, and LUCERNE trial data showed non-inferior vision gains versus Aflibercept, with a higher proportion achieving fluid-free status at one year. 

The agent’s real-world value is highest when it replaces a protocol that has already shown its ceiling. Switching to Faricimab only makes sense after a proper OCT-guided assessment confirms that the prior agent has genuinely plateaued rather than been under-dosed. For AMD-specific disease background and treatment context, the macular degeneration treatment page covers it.

Why Choose Dr. Mayank Bansal ?

Dr. Mayank Bansal is MD (AIIMS), FRCS (Glasgow), FACS, with a retina fellowship at UCLA. Over 15 years of vitreoretinal practice managing wet AMD and diabetic macular edema with all major anti-VEGF agents including Faricimab. OCT-guided treat-and-extend protocols are applied individually, with Faricimab considered when persistent fluid or treatment frequency burden points to a dual-pathway approach. International patients receive full coordination including scheduling, accommodation guidance, and discharge summaries formatted for handover to their ophthalmologist at home.