Macular Disease Foundation Australia Macular Disease Foundation Australia Macular disease treatment costs | Macular Disease Foundation Australia Macular Disease Foundation Australia

Updated September 2026

Cost of medication

The cost of the treatment is in addition to the consultation, diagnostic imaging and injection fees. There are several treatments for macular disease. These are administered as eye injections, also called intravitreal injections or IVI.

Lucentis, Eylea (2mg/8mg) and Vabysmo

Lucentis and Eylea (2mg/8mg) are registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and are subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of:

wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
diabetic macular oedema (DMO) and
other macular conditions (except Eylea 8mg).

The PBS subsidy for Lucentis has been extended for the treatment of other macular conditions similar to wet AMD, where abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula.

Beovu

Beovu is registered by the TGA for treatment of wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Beovu is subsidised by the PBS only for people who have not responded to treatment despite at least six months of PBS-subsidised treatment with Lucentis, and/or Eyelea 2mg/8mg, and/or Vabysmo.

Ozurdex

Ozurdex is registered by the TGA and subsidised by the PBS for the treatment of:

Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) and
Retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Avastin

Prior to January 2022, Avastin was used as an off-label medication to treat people with macular disease.

However, Avastin is no longer registered or sold in Australia. Please seek advice from your ophthalmologist if you were receiving Avastin injections.

Lucentis, Eylea (2mg/8mg), Vabysmo, Beovu and Ozurdex are all listed on the PBS.

Under the PBS, the subsidised cost of Lucentis, Eylea (2mg/8mg), Vabysmo, Beovu and Ozurdex in 2026 per prescription (one dose) is: 

$7.70 (concession card holder) or
$25 (non-concession).

The PBS Safety Net will apply once the costs in a calendar year for all PBS medications exceed:

$277.20 (concession) or 
$1,748.20 (non-concession).

After reaching the PBS Safety Net, each subsequent PBS script will be free (concession) or $7.70 (non-concession) for the remainder of the calendar year. 

Side effects or adverse events of treatment

Tell your ophthalmologist if you have any problems after an eye injection

If you experience any problems, or any new or unusual symptoms after an eye injection, contact your eye health professional as soon as possible.

In an emergency, dial Triple Zero (000) or ask someone to take you to your nearest hospital emergency department.

It is important to report side effects or adverse events

In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) monitors the safety of all eye injection treatments and other medicines and therapeutic devices registered for use.

To do this, the TGA relies on consumers and health professionals reporting any information they have about adverse events, side effects and reactions they have noticed or experienced.

Everyone in Australia can play a role in helping to monitor the safety of eye injections and other medicines or treatments by reporting this information to the TGA.

You can find out more here: Overview of adverse event reporting for medicines | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

How to report an adverse event to the TGA

Anyone can report an adverse event to the TGA. You can also submit a report on behalf of someone else. 

You can make a report online or by phone. 

We encourage you to report any adverse events or side effects or reactions that you notice after an eye injection, or about any medicine you are taking.

You can report an adverse event here: Reporting adverse events for consumers | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)