Retinal Injections

Retinal injections, also known as intravitreal injections is a procedure which involves delivering the medicine into the eye. The inside of the eye is filled with a jelly-like fluid called the vitreous. The medicine is injected into the vitreous, near the retina which lines the back of the eye. The medicine can then reach the desired concentration in the retina which cannot be achieved with eye drops or tablets.

Retina injections are used to treat:

• Diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema
• Wet age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), Choroidal neovascular membrane, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
• Vein occlusions
• Endophthalmitis
• Retinopathy of Prematurity
• Tumors

Anti-VEGF agents, steroids and antibiotics are generally given as intravitreal injections. Discuss the injection options with your retina specialist to decide which medicine is best for you.

The injection procedure is a minor one and takes a few seconds. Most patients can resume their normal lifestyle almost immediately following the injection.

• It is done in the operation theatre taking all infection control precautions and doesn’t require admission.
• Drops will be instilled in your eyes to widen (dilate) the pupils.
• You will be made to lie down in a comfortable position.
• Antibiotic and numbing drops will be instilled in your eye.
• Your eyes will be cleaned and a sterile drape will be placed over your eye.
• A small instrument will be used to keep your eyes open.
• You will be asked to look in a particular direction while the medicine in injected through the white part of your eye with a very small needle.
• You may feel pressure, but little or no pain.
• Antibiotic drops may be placed in your eye.
• No eye patching will be required.

There are generally no restrictions or precautions following the injection apart from using antibiotic eye drops as prescribed and keeping the eye clean to prevent infections. You can resume your normal lifestyle including reading, writing, watching television, using your mobile phones etc. the very same day.

Serious complications are rare with injections. At the most you may feel that there is something in your eye and this feeling can be relieved with artificial tears. Sometimes there is a little redness in the eye which resolves without medications within a few days.