Intravitreal injections can be used to treat common diseases including wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema caused by leaking blood vessels in the back of the eye, or a retinal vein occlusion.
Intravitreal injection of drugs are usually very effective treatments and the majority of patients get some benefit. Each treatment course is unique, but generally a series of injections are required a few weeks apart. Your doctor will explain the specific risks and benefits for the treatment course recommended for you.
Each injection is given with a very fine needle through the white part of the eyeball. This procedure is usually carried out as an outpatient visit. You may experience some discomfort during and after the injection, bruising of the white of the eye, an increase in the eye pressure and moving black dots in your vision. You must not drive home after this procedure as your vision will be blurred.