Intravitreal Injection

You should not use makeup around the eye on the day of the injection. If you have an eye infection, notify your ophthalmologist, as the injection may need to be postponed.

Intravitreal injections are performed under local anesthesia using drops administered just before the procedure. The eye and the skin around the eye are disinfected, and a sterile drape is placed over the eye. A speculum is used to keep the eye open. The medication is then injected, and you should not feel any pain.

You can go home immediately after the injection. Avoid swimming or activities where dust or dirt might enter the eye on the day of the treatment and the day after. You should experience minimal discomfort from the injection. Vision may be slightly reduced for a few hours after the injection, so it is not safe to drive. The eye may feel irritated and appear red; if this happens, you may use artificial tears as needed. It is recommended to use single-use artificial tears instead of a bottle that has been open for a while. A small hemorrhage in the white part of the eye may occur, which is harmless and will disappear within a few weeks.

Contact your doctor if the eye becomes redder than immediately after the injection, painful, and/or if vision decreases.

Intravitreal injections are performed very frequently, and fortunately, complications are very rare. The most significant complication is a bacterial infection of the eye. In this case, the eye becomes redder than right after the injection, painful, and vision decreases. Other possible side effects include inflammation, retinal detachment, vitreous detachment, bleeding in the eye, increased eye pressure, eye pain, allergic reactions, corneal damage, and cataracts. A complication can result in reduced vision and, in very rare cases, blindness.