A Patient-Friendly Guide to Retina Injections and Vision Protection

Anti-VEGF treatment is one of the most important advances in retina care and is commonly used to treat diseases that cause abnormal blood vessel growth or leakage in the retina. VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor, a natural protein that helps blood vessels grow. In some retinal diseases, too much VEGF can lead to abnormal or leaking blood vessels, swelling, bleeding, and vision loss. Anti-VEGF medicines work by blocking this protein and reducing damage to the retina. These medications are typically given through an injection into the eye.

Retina specialists commonly use anti-VEGF injections to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, and other retinal diseases involving swelling or abnormal blood vessels. In many patients, treatment can stabilize vision and sometimes even improve it. The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that anti-VEGF therapy improves vision in some patients and stabilizes vision in most people receiving treatment.

During the procedure, your eye is numbed with anesthetic drops and carefully cleaned to reduce the risk of infection. A small device may be used to keep the eyelids open. The medication is injected into the vitreous, the gel-like substance inside the eye. Most patients feel pressure rather than pain, and the injection itself takes only a few seconds. The entire visit usually lasts much longer than the injection itself because imaging and evaluation are often performed.

During the procedure, your eye is numbed with anesthetic drops and carefully cleaned to reduce the risk of infection. A small device may be used to keep the eyelids open. The medication is injected into the vitreous, the gel-like substance inside the eye. Most patients feel pressure rather than pain, and the injection itself takes only a few seconds. The entire visit usually lasts much longer than the injection itself because imaging and evaluation are often performed.

One of the most important things to understand about anti-VEGF treatment is that it often requires repeated injections. Retinal diseases can return or worsen if treatment stops too early. Your retina specialist may recommend monthly visits at first, followed by individualized treatment schedules such as ‘treat-and-extend’ depending on how your retina responds. OCT imaging is frequently used to monitor for fluid or swelling and guide treatment decisions.