While they're not fully known for the treatment of AMD, the complications reported to date appear to be limited, and some—such as eye infection, retinal detachment, bleeding, and increased pressure in the eye—may stem from the injection rather than the drug. Those reactions are uncommon but can lead to severe loss of vision.

When used to treat cancer, Avastin has caused serious complications in some patients, including gastrointestinal perforations, impaired wound healing, hemorrhaging in the lungs, stroke, heart attack, hypertension, heart failure, and kidney problems. Other reported side effects include mild increases in blood pressure, dizziness, and ringing in the ears. However, those patients were given much higher doses, and the drug was administered intravenously so that it may affect other organs, not just a localized area. AMD patients receive Avastin only in the eye and in fewer doses that are 300 to 500 times lower, presumably reducing the risk of such complications. But such side effects may still be possible.