An eye injection, also known as an intravitreal injection, is a common and highly effective method for delivering vision-saving medication to the retina.
Eye injections deliver a targeted dose of medication that is much higher than can be achieved by drops. The two most common medications administered by eye injection are steroids and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). Each medication has unique properties, geared towards the suppression of inflammation, bleeding, or swelling in the retina.
Patients typically receive eye injections from an ophthalmologist specialized in the retina. Eye injection appointments are similar to routine eye doctor visits, with dilation, retinal imaging, and a conversation with the doctor before the 5-minute injection procedure.
Prior to the widespread adoption of eye injections in 2005, many patients would go blind due to eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal vein occlusion. The development of injectable medications for the eye has been nothing short of a medical miracle, restoring and preserving sight in millions of people each year.