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What Is an Intravitreal Injection?

An intravitreal injection is a procedure that places medicine directly into the vitreous, the gel-like space inside the eye. Eye doctors use it to treat retinal diseases that need medicine delivered to the back of the eye. Common medicines given this way include anti-VEGF drugs, steroids, antibiotics, antifungal medicines, and antiviral medicines. The procedure is done in a medical setting with numbing medicine and antiseptic preparation.

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What Is an Intravitreal Injection?

An intravitreal injection is a procedure that places medicine directly into the vitreous, the gel-like space inside the eye. Eye doctors use it to treat retinal diseases that need medicine delivered to the back of the eye. Common medicines given this way include anti-VEGF drugs, steroids, antibiotics, antifungal medicines, and antiviral medicines. The procedure is done in a medical setting with numbing medicine and antiseptic preparation.

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How Does an Intravitreal Injection Work?

An intravitreal injection lets medicine reach the retina and nearby eye tissues more directly than many eye drops or oral medicines. This is helpful because the retina sits deep inside the eye. The medicine can target abnormal blood vessel growth, fluid leakage, swelling, infection, or inflammation, depending on the drug used. The treatment plan depends on the diagnosis and how the eye responds over time.

When Are Intravitreal Injections Used?

Intravitreal injections are commonly used for wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and macular edema from retinal vein occlusion. They can also be used for eye infections, severe inflammation, and selected retinal complications. Anti-VEGF injections are among the most common intravitreal treatments for retinal diseases involving abnormal vessels or leakage. An ophthalmologist decides whether this procedure fits the patient's condition.

What Happens During the Procedure?

The eye and eyelids are cleaned, and numbing drops or gel are used to reduce discomfort. An antiseptic such as povidone-iodine is used to lower infection risk. The medicine is injected through the white part of the eye with a very fine needle. The visit can also include vision checks, eye pressure checks, and retinal imaging before or after treatment.

Risks and Aftercare

Temporary irritation, redness, tearing, floaters, or a gritty feeling can happen after an intravitreal injection. Rare but serious risks include eye infection, retinal detachment, bleeding, inflammation, and a rise in eye pressure. Patients should call an eye doctor right away for worsening pain, increasing redness, light sensitivity, sudden vision loss, or thick discharge. Follow-up visits help the doctor decide whether more injections are needed.

FAQs About Intravitreal Injections

Are intravitreal injections painful?

The eye is numbed before the injection, so most patients feel pressure or brief discomfort rather than strong pain. Severe or worsening pain after the visit should be reported right away.

Why are injections used instead of eye drops?

Eye drops usually do not reach the retina in high enough amounts for many back-of-the-eye diseases. Intravitreal injections place medicine directly where retinal treatment is needed.

How often do you need intravitreal injections?

The schedule depends on the condition, medicine, and response seen on retinal imaging. Some patients need frequent injections at first, followed by longer spacing if the retina stays stable.

Can intravitreal injections improve vision?

Yes, they can improve vision in some patients, especially when fluid or leakage responds well. In other cases, the goal is to slow vision loss and protect remaining sight.

Reference

Intravitreal injection. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007629.htm. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.

Eye Injections. American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/eye-injections. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.

Intravitreal Injections - 2025. American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/education/clinical-statement/intravitreal-injections-statement. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.

Intravitreal Injections. American Society of Retina Specialists. https://www.asrs.org/patients/retinal-diseases/33/intravitreal-injections. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.

Intravitreal Injection Therapy: Current Techniques and Supplemental Services. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9976140/. Date Accessed June 3, 2026.