Cover - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36080
Entity Registrant Name	IVERIC bio, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-8185347
Entity Address, Address Line One	Five Penn Plaza
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 2372
Entity Address, City or Town	New York,
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10001
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	845-8200
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	ISEE
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Smaller Reporting Company	true
Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		90,255,116
Entity Central Index Key	0001410939
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer