Intravitreal Injection

Delivering Powerful Medicine Directly Where It Is Needed Most

Some of the most serious and vision-threatening conditions affecting the retina respond best to medication delivered directly into the eye itself. Intravitreal injections place powerful anti-VEGF drugs, steroids, or other therapeutic agents precisely into the vitreous cavity — right next to the retina where they are needed — achieving concentrations and effects that eye drops or tablets simply cannot reach. At RGC Eye Hospital, these injections are performed with strict sterile technique, minimal discomfort, and the highest standards of care.

What Is an Intravitreal Injection?

An intravitreal injection is the delivery of a small volume of medication directly into the vitreous cavity — the gel-filled space inside the eye. A very fine needle is used to introduce the medication through the white of the eye at a safe and precisely chosen location. The procedure takes only a few minutes and, with proper anaesthesia, is far more comfortable than most patients expect. The medications used work by blocking the chemical signals that drive abnormal vessel growth, reduce leakage, or control inflammation within the eye.

Conditions Treated with Intravitreal Injections

• Wet age-related macular degeneration — abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the macula
• Diabetic macular oedema — swelling at the centre of the retina caused by diabetes
• Retinal vein occlusion with macular oedema
• Myopic choroidal neovascularisation — abnormal vessels in highly short-sighted eyes
• Inflammatory conditions of the retina and vitreous requiring steroid treatment

What Happens During the Injection?

Step 1 — Preparation

The eye and surrounding area are thoroughly cleaned with antiseptic solution. This strict sterile preparation is the most important step in preventing infection.

Step 2 — Anaesthetic Drops

Numbing drops are applied to the eye surface. In some cases, a small amount of local anaesthetic gel is also applied to maximise comfort during the procedure.

Step 3 — The Injection

A very fine needle is used to deliver the medication into the vitreous cavity through a carefully chosen point on the white of the eye. The injection itself takes only a few seconds. Most patients feel only mild pressure — not pain — during this step.

Step 4 — After the Injection

Antibiotic drops are applied and you rest briefly before being assessed. Most patients are able to go home within 30 minutes of arriving for the procedure.

How Often Are Injections Needed?

The frequency of injections depends on the condition being treated and how your eye responds. Many conditions require an initial course of monthly injections followed by a maintenance phase where injections are given less frequently. Your specialist will review your response at each visit and adjust the treatment schedule accordingly to achieve the best possible outcome with the minimum number of injections.

Why Patients Trust RGC Eye Hospital

• Strict sterile technique at every step to minimise the risk of infection
• Experienced specialists who perform intravitreal injections routinely and safely
• Careful monitoring of your response to treatment and flexible scheduling
• A calm, reassuring approach that makes each visit as comfortable as possible