Macular degeneration, also known as retinal degeneration, affects our macula – responsible for straight ahead or central vision – and can lead to blindness in its early stages. It’s one of the leading causes of visual impairment.

Dry macular degeneration cannot be reversed; however, its wet form (neovascularization or abnormal leaking blood vessels under the retina) may be treatable using medications like Eylea or Lucentis that inhibit VEGF production to slow its progression and delay macular degeneration progression. These injectable medications must be given on an ongoing basis for best results.

What is Intravitreal Injection?

An intravitreal injection is a procedure performed at eye clinics to directly inject medication directly into the vitreous, the gelatinous substance filling your eye (and behind your retina) that acts like an adhesive substance. The drug injected can treat retinal disorders or diseases.

Age-related macular degeneration is one of the most frequently treated diseases with intravitreal injections. This condition involves abnormal blood vessels growing behind your eye, leading to fluid leakage which threatens vision. Intravitreal injections can reduce this leakage and help preserve visual clarity.

These injections may also be used to treat other retinal conditions. Diabetic macular edema, caused by blood vessels leaking into the macula and difficult to treat with traditional methods, may benefit from treatment through injections as this method helps avoid severe vision loss in patients suffering from this condition.

Other retinal conditions requiring intravitreal injections for treatment are retinal vein occlusion, retinal tear and choroidal hemorrhage. Intravitreal injections are an integral part of multifaceted treatment plans that include patient history review, careful physical exam and diagnostic testing selection and interpretation, custom medical decision making process as well as follow-up considerations.

The procedure itself is quick and relatively painless; topical anesthetic drops are applied prior to injecting, with a small needle entering through the scleral tunnel into your eye through an anesthesia needle insertion process that typically lasts no more than five minutes. After being injected, some pressure, grittiness or irritation from cleaning solution and betadine may arise following injection; this should not be painful. Following post-treatment care instructions provided by your physician in order to lower risk complications as quickly as possible and report any symptoms of infection immediately to them as quickly as possible.

How is the Injection Done?

An injection is administered directly into the eye using a very small needle, in a quick procedure performed in our clinic that is extremely well tolerated with very few side effects. Topical and local anaesthetic are used to numb the area prior to introducing an anti-VEGF molecule, which targets abnormal blood vessel growth that causes leakage from wet macular degeneration, slowing vision loss. For enhanced results in certain patients we may combine injections with nutritional supplements; Rockhampton Eye Clinic doctors are all well versed in treating eyes as part of our comprehensive eye care service – so rest assured your eyes will receive the best care possible!

Wet macular degeneration (also referred to as Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration or AMD) is the faster progressing form of macular degeneration. While dry AMD often causes no permanent vision loss, wet AMD can result in permanent vision loss caused by abnormal blood vessels growing beneath your retina which form scar tissue which leaks fluid or causes leakage, leading to blind spots in central vision due to an abnormal increase in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor or VEGF protein production.

Laser photocoagulation was until recently the only treatment for wet macular degeneration, however this may cause damage to the retina and therefore have no positive impact on visual acuity. More effective solutions include anti-VEGF injections and other drugs which treat leakage and scar tissue; these injections may be given directly into the vitreous gel inside of your eye directly above your retina and administered monthly for best results.

At times, injections may help restore vision for some patients with wet AMD, although this should not be seen as a cure and must continue along with regular examinations, tests such as OCT scans or fluorescein angiography and following an effective diet regime.

As part of your appointment, drops will be placed in your eye to dilate it (dilate). Next, your doctor will use a needle to inject medication into your eye – usually painlessly and taking only seconds – but after this procedure someone must drive you home as your vision may remain temporarily blurry afterward.

What are the Possible Side Effects?

The injection is performed at an outpatient clinic under sterile conditions and involves local anaesthetic to numb the eye, with topical antiseptic solution used to cleanse its surface beforehand. When giving the injection through the white portion (sclera) close to its junction with coloured parts (corneal scleral junction), typically no pain is felt; though sometimes small haemorrhages on its surface can appear which usually resolve within 24 hours after injection; alternatively eyes may feel irritated over a longer duration which requires painkillers as pain relief may also take several days before clearing completely.

Anti-angiogenic agents used in this treatment are drugs known as “anti-angiogenic agents” that work by blocking proteins that promote the formation of abnormal blood vessels. By blocking this protein, anti-angiogenic agents can stop fluid from leaking under the retina and slow vision loss caused by wet macular degeneration while potentially improving vision in some cases. Anti-angiogenic agents should be injected once every 4-6 weeks and there are several different medications available – Visudyne is most frequently utilized; others include Eylea Lucentis Avastin.

Wet AMD can cause rapid central vision loss. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak harmful fluid into its light-sensitive centre (macula). Though less common than its dry counterpart, wet AMD often progresses more rapidly. Unfortunately, until recently there was no treatment other than antioxidant supplements available to address it.

Beovu, an FDA-approved medication to treat macular degeneration, has recently been shown to be as effective as other treatments in managing this condition. Side effects associated with Beovu include reduced visual acuity, vitreous hemorrhage and the formation of new floaters (small dark or transparent dots or threadlike structures). Beovu does not prevent macular degeneration from progressing but can significantly slow its rate of vision loss.

Macular degeneration impairs fine details and colors but does not significantly limit peripheral or side vision, leaving most people able to drive safely, use telephones effectively, read, use the telephone and perform other daily tasks with little difficulty. Even those suffering from neovascular macular degeneration often retain some degree of independence in daily activities.

What is the Risk of Bleeding?

Eye injection treatment uses a pharmaceutical molecule to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a natural substance produced in our bodies which stimulates abnormal blood vessel formation and can leak fluid and scar the retina, leading to loss of central vision. Eye injections seek to decrease this leakage and protect our vision by cauterizing any leaky vessels that form.

The retina is a light sensitive layer that lines the back of our eye like film in a camera, providing fine central vision such as reading and detail recognition. A portion called the macula of our retinas are responsible for this fine central vision ability; its tiny blood vessel clusters enable reading. Eye injections treat wet macular degeneration where abnormal blood vessels grow beneath our retinas.

Wet macular degeneration (WMD) can cause sudden and severe vision loss. The condition is marked by yellow deposits under the retina called “drusen,” causing swelling and blurry vision in the center of visual field within one to two years if left untreated.

Treatment typically begins when patients notice a decrease in the quality of their central vision. A comprehensive dilated eye exam conducted by a trained ophthalmologist will screen for distortion of straight lines or haziness in this region of vision, depending on its severity; you may also notice problems with color recognition or adapting to low lighting environments.

Early studies on anti-VEGF medications have yielded promising results in slowing the progression of wet macular degeneration. It should be remembered, however, that they do not represent a cure and must continue being used on an ongoing basis for optimal vision results.

Recent research by University of Michigan retina specialist Dr. Evan Dunn indicates that up to one-third of patients living with wet macular degeneration may eventually be able to stop receiving lifetime eye injections altogether. Unfortunately, no timeline was set nor could any indications be provided as to which patients would benefit most from discontinuing therapy altogether.