What Are Anti-VEGF Injections?
Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) injections are designed to block abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the retina. This targeted therapy is minimally invasive and highly effective for controlling retinal diseases.
Conditions Treated with Anti-VEGF Injections:
- Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic macular edema (DME)
- Retinal vein occlusion (RVO)
- Choroidal neovascularization (CNV)
How Do Anti-VEGF Injections Work?
Anti-VEGF medications, such as Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea and Vabysmo, to name a few, block the protein responsible for abnormal blood vessel growth. By inhibiting VEGF activity, these injections reduce swelling in the retina, preventing further damage. These treatments help to stabilize and often improve vision over time.
What to Expect During an Injection Procedure
Your doctor will discuss your treatment options with you. Once a treatment plan is agreed upon and insurance authorization is obtained, one of our highly trained technicians will prepare you for the injection. You will need to sign a consent form (required once yearly for each eye), which will be stored in your medical record.
- Preparation: To ensure your comfort, the eye will be anesthetized using drops and/or gel. In some cases, a small numbing injection may also be provided. Next, the eye and eyelids will be cleaned to eliminate any bacteria present around the eye.
- Injection: Once the eye is adequately prepared for treatment, you will be asked to look in a specific direction, depending on where the injection will be administered. The medicine is injected through the sclera (the white part of the eye) using a very small needle. Typically, patients report feeling pressure with little to no pain during the injection.
- Aftercare: Patients may experience mild irritation or redness, which typically resolves within a day. Artificial tears can be used to alleviate symptoms of dryness and surface irritation. Additionally, you may see a single black dot or a cluster of dots appearing at the bottom of your field of vision. Both of these symptoms are completely normal and should resolve within the first couple of days after the injection.
- Please contact your retina specialist if you experience any signs or symptoms of complications, including: eye pain or discomfort, increased sensitivity to light or decreased vision.
How Often Are Injections Needed?
The frequency of injections varies depending on the condition being treated. Many patients begin with monthly injections, with the time between injections potentially increasing as the condition stabilizes
Benefits of Intravitreal Injections
- Non-surgical and minimally invasive
- Proven effectiveness in preserving and improving vision
- Suitable for a wide range of retinal conditions
- Can slow or stop disease progression
