Intravitreal Injections for Retinal Disorders | Process & costs

Prompt assessment and treatment is the key to successful management of retinal disorders. The main mode of treatment is through injections into the vitreous cavity (intravitreal injections) using anti-VEGF injections (Avastin, Lucentis and Eylea) and steroid implants (Ozurdex). These injections are performed under local anaesthetic. The aim is to restore the anatomy of the retina and prevent continuing damage to photoreceptors. Laser can also be used, although less so with the advancement of new therapeutic agents.

Intravitreal Injections to treat retinal disorders

At OCL Vision, we offer the full range of intravitreal injections to our patients to best suit your condition.

Conditions that these injections can treat include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion . They stop the leakage that cause swelling of the central retina and growth of abnormal blood vessels, preventing further damage to the retina as well as potentially improving vision.

Assessment & treatment

We will bring you in for an initial assessment to examine your eyes and determine which treatment is best for you.

On occasion, we can treat you on the same day, however normally we will give you the options available to you, and then you can decide whether you want to go ahead and book a suitable appointment time your injections.

The number of injections and frequency depends on your condition and your response to the treatment. Our clinicians will develop a personalised plan with you which will be continually monitored throughout your treatment programme.

What should I expect after an intravitreal injection?

You may feel some discomfort once the local anaesthetic has worn off. We advise you to take paracetamol to keep your eyes comfortable. Lubricating eye drops can also help keep the surface of the eye lubricated and keep the eye comfortable. Following the injection, your eye will be red and photosensitive over the next 48 hrs. These symptoms should start to subside over the next 2-3 days. It is very important for you to contact the team if the symptoms (redness, pain, vision loss) don’t resolve or start getting worse after 2 days.

Sometimes patients may experience floaters immediately after an injection which will resolve over a couple of days. Risk of blindness from an injection is 1:1000 however as with most retinal conditions, the risk of not treating is much higher. Our surgeons will discuss a specific treatment plan, pros and side effects of each treatment with you in more detail, in particular, the post-operative instructions.