Are injections in the eye safe?

There is a low risk of serious complications caused by the injections (about 0.1\% chance per injection). These are retinal detachment or infection in your eye (endophthalmitis).

Do eye injections work for diabetic retinopathy?

Eye injections In some cases of diabetic maculopathy, injections of a medicine called anti-VEGF may be given directly into your eyes to prevent new blood vessels forming at the back of the eyes. The main medicines used are called ranibizumab (Lucentis) and aflibercept (Eylea).

What are the side effects of injections in the eye?

The main side effect risks are infection or inflammation in the eye, bleeding into a gel inside your eye called the vitreous gel, and retinal detachment.

What is the most effective therapy for diabetic retinopathy?

Anti-VEGF [anti-vascular endothelial growth factor] therapy is now the mainstay standard of care for most patients with diabetes. In fact, the FDA recently approved the use of anti-VEGF medications for all forms of diabetic retinopathy.

How long does it take for eye to heal after injection?

This is painless and usually heals on its own within a week or two. Typically, there are few restrictions following an intravitreal injection. To reduce the very small risk of infection, you should not place a contact lens in the injected eye until the following morning or swim on the day of the injection.

Can diabetic retinopathy be stopped?

While treatment can slow or stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy, it’s not a cure. Because diabetes is a lifelong condition, future retinal damage and vision loss are still possible. Even after treatment for diabetic retinopathy, you’ll need regular eye exams. At some point, you might need additional treatment.

Is it painful to get eye injections?

Are these injections painful? Although most patients don’t experience pain, there can be a hot or cold feeling or a feeling of pressure which lasts for seconds. Often people see a swirling pattern or floating dark circles in their vision immediately after the injections. These tend to settle over minutes or hours.

How long does it take to recover from an eye injection?

Are eye injections painful?

How can I slow down diabetic retinopathy?

Medicines called anti-VEGF drugs can slow down or reverse diabetic retinopathy. Other medicines, called corticosteroids, can also help. Laser treatment. To reduce swelling in your retina, eye doctors can use lasers to make the blood vessels shrink and stop leaking.