What are Intravitreal Injections?
Intravitreal injections involve placing medication directly into the vitreous cavity in the back of the eye. Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medications help slow vision loss and reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in various retinal conditions.
Common Medications
Avastin (bevacizumab)
Generic anti-VEGF medication widely used for retinal conditions
Lucentis (ranibizumab)
FDA-approved specifically for eye conditions like wet AMD
Eylea (aflibercept)
Longer-acting anti-VEGF agent with extended dosing intervals
Who Needs This Treatment?
Common Indications:
- Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic macular edema
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Retinal vein occlusion
- Macular edema from various causes
Excellent Success
Highly effective for preserving and often improving vision. May stabilize or improve vision in the majority of patients.
What to Expect
Before the Procedure
- Eye drops to numb the eye
- Eye cleaned with antiseptic
- Brief consultation with doctor
- Informed consent discussion
During the Procedure
- Office-based procedure (10-15 minutes)
- Pressure sensation with little to no pain
- Medication injected through pars plana
- Small needle used for injection
After the Procedure
- Foreign body sensation normal for several hours
- Immediate return to most activities
- Small surface bleeding may occur
- Full effect develops over days to weeks
Treatment Schedule
Initial Phase
Monthly injections for first 3-6 months
Maintenance Phase
Extended intervals (6-12 weeks) based on response
Long-term Care
Ongoing monitoring with treatment as needed
Potential Risks
- • Severe complications very rare
- • Infection (endophthalmitis) - extremely rare
- • Mild inflammation
- • Temporary increased eye pressure
- • Subconjunctival hemorrhage (surface bleeding)
- • Vitreous hemorrhage (rare)
Complications are extremely rare with modern techniques.
Post-Procedure Care Instructions
Do's
- Return to normal activities immediately
- Use prescribed eye drops if given
- Keep follow-up appointments
- Continue taking your regular medications
- Expect some eye irritation for a few hours
- Contact us with any concerns
Avoid on Day of Injection
- Don't contaminate the eye
- Don't rub the treated eye
- Don't swim or use hot tubs
- Don't wear eye makeup
- Don't get water directly in the eye
- Don't ignore warning signs
⚠️ Contact Us Immediately If You Experience
- Severe eye pain
- Significant decrease in vision
- Increased floaters
- Light sensitivity
- Signs of infection
- Persistent severe discomfort
- Curtain or shadow in vision
- Any concerning changes
Emergency Contact: (574) 366-0554
Available 24/7 for post-procedure concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
How often will I need injections?
Initially, injections are typically given monthly. Over time, the interval may be extended based on your response to treatment. Some patients may eventually need injections only every 2-3 months.
Will the injection hurt?
The eye is numbed with anesthetic drops, so most patients feel only mild pressure. Any discomfort is brief and manageable.
How quickly will I see improvement?
Some patients notice improvement within days, while others may take several weeks. The full effect of each injection develops over time, and improvement often becomes more noticeable after several treatments.
Are there any activity restrictions?
Most normal activities can be resumed immediately. Avoid swimming and contaminating the eye on the day of injection. You may return to work and drive as usual.
Questions About Intravitreal Injections?
Our team is here to help you understand your treatment options and what to expect.
Schedule a Consultation