Injections (intravitreal injections)

Results of clinical trials led by a number of pharmaceutical companies as well as the The ABC Trial (bevacizumab(Avastin) for age-related macular degeneration) and REPAIR (ranibizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularisation) , led by Professor Tufail, showed that treatments that block a chemical released in the eye called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can reduce the leakage from abnormal blood vessels that can damage the macula and affect vision.

Today, ophthalmologists and patients are delighted with the results of certain retinal treatments using intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (such as Aflibercept (Eylea), bevacizumab(Avastin), brolucizumab (Beovu), and Ranibizumab (Lucentis), Diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, myopic degeneration and retinal vein occlusion are some sight-stealing conditions that respond well to medication injections. In those that respond suboptimaly to anti-VEGF, injections of corticosteroid implants OZURDEX® may be considered.

Here is what to expect if you require an intravitreal (eye) injection.

First, you will be given an anaesthetic to numb the surface of your eyeball so you don’t feel pain. Your eye and eyelids will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution to help prevent infection from bacteria near the eye.

Your surgeon will place a device called an eyelid speculum on your eye to hold the lids open. Then you will be asked to look in a certain direction so that your ophthalmologist can inject the medicine into a specific part of the eye.

The needle used for the injection is very thin. You will probably feel only pressure, with little discomfort, as the medicine is injected through the white part of your eye.

If you’d like to know more about this treatment, or think that you may benefit from a consultation, please get in touch here.