Intravitreal Injections

What is an intravitreal Injection?
Intravitreal injection is a shot of medicine into the eye. The inside of the eye is filled with a jelly-like fluid (vitreous). During this procedure, your eye specialist injects medicine into the vitreous. The medicine can treat certain eye problems and help protect your vision.

What are the main indications of intravitreal injections?
You may have this procedure if you have:

• Macular degeneration: An eye disorder that slowly destroys sharp, central vision
• Macular oedema: Swelling or thickening of the macula, the part of your eye that provides sharp, central vision
• Diabetic retinopathy, which can cause new, abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina, the back part of your eye
• Swelling and inflammation within the eyeball (uveitis)
• Retinal vein occlusion: A blockage of the veins that carry blood away from the retina and out of the eye
• Infections in the inside of the eye (endophthalmitis)

Are there any risks involved with intravitreal Injections?
Side effects are rare, and many can be managed. They may include:

• Increased pressure in the eye
• Inflammation
• Bleeding
• Damage to the retina or surrounding nerves or structures
• Infection
• Vision loss
• Loss of the eye (very rare)
• Side effects from the medicines that are used

What are the instructions before and after the procedure of intravitreal injection?
Before the Procedure Tell your provider about:

• Any health problems
• Medicines you take, including any over-the-counter medicines
• Any allergies
• Any bleeding tendencies After the Procedure
• You may feel a few sensations in the eye such as pressure and grittiness, but there should not be a pain.
• Sometimes a little bleeding can occur on the white of the eye. This is normal and will go away.
• You may see eye floaters in your vision. They will improve over time.
• DO NOT rub your eyes for several days.
• Avoid swimming for at least 3 days.
• Use eye drop medicine as directed.

Report any eye pain or discomfort, redness, sensitivity to light, or changes in your vision to your provider right away. Schedule a follow-up appointment with your provider as directed.

How does an injection of these antiVEGF medicines prevent visual loss?
Anti-VEGF medicines stop the abnormal blood vessels leaking, growing and then bleeding under the retina. This prevents damage to the retinal light receptors and loss of central vision. These medicines are effective in preventing further central vision loss in up to 90% of treated eyes. Your ophthalmologist will decide the most appropriate treatment for you.