Intravitreal Injection
An intravitreal injection is a procedure where a medicine is injected directly into the jelly-like material inside your eye known as the vitreous. Intravitreal injections are a common method to treat retinal diseases including macular degeneration diabetic retinopathy and vein occlusions.
The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis. Your doctor will first numb your eye with anaesthetic drops. Your eye will then be rinsed with an antiseptic solution. Special instruments may be used to keep your eye open. Depending on your condition, your doctor will then inject the appropriate medication directly into the vitreous of your eye. There is rarely any significant discomfort experienced during the injection. A number of patients may need to have the procedure repeated at regular intervals in order to maintain good vision.
You may have some mild discomfort after the procedure. Most side effects resolve spontaneously and can be managed easily using eye drops. However, some of the less common and more severe complications include retinal tear or detachment, bleeding in the eye, infection and formation of cataract.