Intravitreal Injections

• Neovascular (“wet”) Age-Rrelated Macular Degeneration (AMD)
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Retinal Vein Occlusion

• Anaesthetic eye drops are first applied to make the surface of the eye numb. Further anaesthesia may then be given as a subconjunctival injection (under the surface layer over the white part of the eye).
• Antiseptics (Betadine and/or Chlorhexidine) are applied to the surface of the eye to reduce the risk of infection.
• An eyelid speculum may be used to hold the eyelids open.
• The fine needle is introduced into the eye through the sclera (the white part of the eye).

Typically, the treatment involves a course of injections rather than a single treatment. For some conditions such as wet AMD, treatment may be indefinite. The injected drugs do not cure the disease, but by blocking the growth and leakage of abnormal blood vessels they control the problem. Injections are usually commenced 4-weekly but once the condition stabilises, they may be given less often. Some patients require injections as infrequently as every 12 to 16 weeks.

Anti-VEGF agents block Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), one of the main molecules responsible for blood vessel growth. These drugs also reduce leakage of fluid from blood vessels. The anti-VEGF agents available in Australia include Lucentis (ranibizumab), Eylea (aflibercept) and Vabysmo (faricimab).

Steroids are medications that dampen down inflammation and treat swelling in the eye. They are used to treat inflammatory eye conditions (uveitis) as well as vascular conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusions. Steroids reduce leakage of fluid from blood vessels and thereby reduce macular oedema (swelling at the macula, the central part of the retina). The intravitreal steroid preparations available in Australia include Triescence (triamcinolone), Kenacort-A 40 (triamcinolone) and Ozurdex (dexamethasone).