Intravitreal Injections
What are Intravitreal Injections?
An intravitreal injection is an injection of medicine inside the eye. These injections can be used to treat 1. Macular Degeneration and 2. Diabetes related conditions
Macular Degeneration and Diabetes
- Macular degeneration
Ranibizumab, also called Lucentis, Avastin, or Aflibercept (also called Eylea) are the three medications used for macular degeneration injections. Injections of these anti-VEGF medicines under the retina, performed regularly, can prevent abnormal vessels from developing, leaking, and bleeding under the retina.
Most people with wet AMD only need these injections several times a year, and they experience minimal discomfort, as drops are administered before treatment to numb the eye. In 9 out of 10 patients, these injections prevent vision from getting worse and 3 out of 10 people experience improvements.
2. Diabetes
In severe diabetic retinopathy, injections can be given to prevent progression of disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an injection of medicine into the eye.
There is a low risk of serious complications caused by the injections.
Typically you will feel pressure, with little to no pain during the injection.