Intravitreal injection
What is an intravitreal injection?
An intravitreal injection is a drug administration method used for treating eye disorders, such as macular degeneration. Treatment consists of using anti-VEGF drugs, which prevent the formation of new blood vessels, or immunosuppressive agents and anti-inflammatory drugs.
What are intravitreal injections for?
Intravitreal injections can stop the progression of a number of visual disorders and allows for a much quicker post-operative healing process. Conditions treated with intravitreal injections include:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular oedema
- Exudative age-related macular degeneration
- Uveitis
- Retinal vein occlusion
What does an intravitreal injection involve?
An intravitreal injection is done under local anaesthetic, administered via eye drops, in a sterile operating theatre. A special instrument, the blepharostat, keeps the eyelids still and prevents the eyelids from closing. The doctor will instruct the patient to look away from the site of the injection. The procedure is extremely quick: it lasts only a few minutes and the patient will only feel a slight discomfort.
Medicine is injected into the vitreous humour – the clear gel that fills the eye between the lens and the retina (the back of the eye). The injection administers the drug locally, fighting the eye disorder more effectively.
Potential risks arising from this procedure include retinal damage, vision loss, inflammation within the eye, floaters, bleeding, and infections.
How can I prepare for an intravitreal injection?
Before getting started on intravitreal treatment, you should tell your doctor about any risk factors, for instance, if you’re suffering from any cardiac or vascular condition or if you’re allergic to any medication.
Post-operative process
After the procedure, you can go back to your daily routine fairly quickly. The doctor will likely recommend the use of eye drops to facilitate the healing process.
The patient will need to go for a check-up two or three days and then a month after the injection, to evaluate how effective the treatment is and how is their eyesight progressing.


Do intravitreal injections hurt? Read a patient’s experience!
By Mr Praveen Patel
2022-05-25
If your ophthalmologist has recommended that you have an intravitreal injection in your eye, you may be feeling nervous about to what to expect on the day, including if there is going to be any pain. Thankfully, one of our top eye specialists Mr Praveen Patel explains everything that you need to know and one of his patient's shares their real-life experience of having an eye injection. See more


Intravitreal injections and the use of iodine beforehand
By Mr Praveen Patel
2022-05-23
We recently got in contact with Mr Praveen Patel, a top ophthalmologist based in London, to discuss why iodine droplets are usually used before intravitreal injections, whether it can cause an allergic reaction or side effects. Find out if there are any alternatives to this antiseptic agent or if there is a way of reducing sensitivity to iodine. See more


Intravitreal injection: what is it used for?
By Mr Samer El-Sherbiny
2022-05-19
What is an intravitreal injection, and what is it like to have one, and how many do you need? We asked leading Birmingham-based ophthalmologist Mr Samer El-Sherbiny to take us step-by-step through the process. See more
-
Mr Jonathan Dowler
OphthalmologyExpert in:
- Intravitreal injection
- Retinal tear
- Angiography
- Epiretinal membrane
- Macular degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic retinopathy
-
Mr Praveen Patel
OphthalmologyExpert in:
- Macular degeneration (AMD)
- Retina
- Retinal vein occlusion
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular oedema
- Intravitreal injection
-
Mr Maan Kasmiya
OphthalmologyExpert in:
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration (AMD)
- Intravitreal injection
- Laser eye surgery
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Chalazion
-
Dr Gabriella De Salvo
OphthalmologyExpert in:
- Macular degeneration (AMD)
- Retinal vein occlusion
- Myopia
- OCT (optical coherence tomography)
- Intravitreal injection
- Inherited Retinal Diseases
-
Dr Rupal Morjaria
OphthalmologyExpert in:
- Macular oedema
- Cataract surgery
- Intravitreal injection
- YAG laser capsulotomy
- Macular degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- See all

Spire Little Aston Hospital
Spire Little Aston Hospital
Little Aston Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield, B74 3UP
No existe teléfono en el centro.
By using the telephone number provided by TOP DOCTORS, you automatically agree to let us use your phone number for statistical and commercial purposes. For further information, read our Privacy Policy
Top Doctors

London Medical
London Medical
49 Marylebone High Street
No existe teléfono en el centro.
By using the telephone number provided by TOP DOCTORS, you automatically agree to let us use your phone number for statistical and commercial purposes. For further information, read our Privacy Policy
Top Doctors
-
Spire Little Aston Hospital
Little Aston Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield, B74 3UP, Sutton ColdfieldExpert in:
- Bariatric Surgery
- General Surgery
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Robotic Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Ophthalmology
-
London Medical
49 Marylebone High Street, Central LondonExpert in:
- Cardiology
- Adult Diabetes
- Child Diabetes
- Endocrinology
- General practice
- Ophthalmology
- See all