Intravitreal Injections

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Numerous medicines are available for treatment of retinal disease by injection directly into the eye. Intravitreal injection is the most direct way of introducing medicines into the eye for treatment of retinal disease, while minimizing the systemic complications of oral and intravenous medicines.

Intravitreal injections are given in the office using topical anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient will lean back in an examination chair, topical anesthetic drops and gels are applied, a lid speculum is used to keep the eyelids from blinking, and the surface of the eye will be sterilized. Sometimes, patients feel slight pressure on the eye when the injection is given.

Intravitreal injections are usually very well tolerated by patients, and there are no restrictions to activity after the procedure. However, it is advisable not to drive for a few hours after the injection.