Intravitreal injection involves delivering medication directly into the vitreous – the gel-like substance inside your eye. It’s a common, effective treatment for a variety of retinal diseases, including:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular degeneration (wet AMD)
- Macular oedema
- Retinal vein occlusions
This approach ensures the medicine reaches the back of the eye where it’s most needed.
Procedure summary
Preparation
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Your eye will be numbed with anaesthetic drops, and an instrument will keep your eye gently open.
Aseptic Precautions
Your eye will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution to minimise risk of infection.
Injection
The appropriate medication is injected into the vitreous. Depending on the condition and the medication, repeated injections may be required to maintain treatment effectiveness.
Clinical benefits
- Targets retinal diseases with precise, localised treatment
- Minimally invasive compared to surgery
- Often delivers rapid improvement or stabilisation of vision
- Can be performed in an outpatient setting with quick recovery time
Recovery & side effects
- Common effects: Mild pressure or discomfort, temporary floaters, or slight surface bleeding—usually resolving on their own.
- Management: Lubricating eye drops can help ease discomfort.
- Less common risks: Includes rare complications such as infection, significant bleeding, or cataract formation.
