Intravitreal Injections
Intravitreal injections deliver medication directly into the vitreous gel inside the eye to treat retinal conditions. They are the standard treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema and swelling from retinal vein occlusion, using anti-VEGF or steroid drugs to reduce abnormal blood vessels, leakage and swelling and to protect central vision.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Several common retinal conditions are driven by abnormal, leaky blood vessels or fluid building up at the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. Anti-VEGF medicines block the signal that causes these abnormal vessels to grow and leak, while steroid implants reduce inflammation and swelling. Delivered directly into the eye by injection, they reach the retina effectively and can stop vision loss and, for many patients, improve sight.
The injection itself is quick. The eye is numbed with anesthetic drops, the surface is cleaned with antiseptic, and the medicine is given through a very fine needle — most people feel only mild pressure. Because these conditions are ongoing, treatment is usually a course of injections rather than a single one, with the interval guided by how the retina responds, monitored with imaging (OCT) at follow-up visits.
International patients receive a coordinator who arranges injections and follow-up around their stay, and our specialists can review your retinal imaging remotely to plan treatment. Because ongoing injections are often needed, the team explains how treatment can be continued with an eye doctor at home between courses.
Who is a candidate?
- People with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affecting central vision
- Patients with diabetic macular edema — fluid at the macula from diabetic eye disease
- Those with swelling of the macula caused by a retinal vein occlusion
- People with certain other retinal conditions that respond to anti-VEGF or steroid treatment
- Patients who can attend the repeated visits these conditions usually require
What happens
- 1
Assessment
Retinal imaging (such as OCT) and an eye examination confirm the diagnosis and that injection treatment is appropriate, and establish a baseline to judge the response.
- 2
Preparation
On the day, anesthetic drops numb the eye and antiseptic cleans the surface to keep the procedure sterile. Your ophthalmologist explains what to expect.
- 3
The injection
The medicine is given through a very fine needle into the eye in a few moments. Most people feel only mild pressure rather than pain, and the eye is checked afterwards.
- 4
Immediate recovery
You go home the same day. The eye may feel gritty or watery briefly, and you are told the warning signs that should prompt a check, though serious problems are uncommon.
- 5
Ongoing treatment
Because these conditions are ongoing, a course of injections is usually needed, with the interval guided by imaging. International patients receive a plan for continuing treatment at home.
Benefits
- Standard, effective treatment for wet AMD, diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion
- Can stop vision loss and, for many patients, improve central vision
- A quick outpatient procedure done with anesthetic drops — no overnight stay
- Delivers medication directly to the retina where it is needed
- Treatment intervals are tailored to how your retina responds on imaging
Risks & considerations
- A short-lived gritty or watery feeling and small red patch on the eye afterwards
- Usually needs repeated injections over time rather than a single treatment
- Temporary floaters or, briefly, raised eye pressure after the injection
- Rare but serious risks such as infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis), which is why warning signs are explained
- Response varies between patients and conditions; not everyone regains vision
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Eye Diseases & Laser Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Intravitreal Injections — frequently asked questions
They treat retinal conditions driven by abnormal blood vessels or fluid at the macula — wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema and swelling from retinal vein occlusion — using anti-VEGF or steroid medication to protect central vision.
The eye is numbed with anesthetic drops first, so most people feel only mild pressure rather than pain. The injection takes only a few moments, and any grittiness afterwards usually settles quickly.
Because these conditions are ongoing, treatment is usually a course of injections rather than a single one. The number and interval depend on how your retina responds, which is tracked with imaging at follow-up visits.
Yes. Share your retinal imaging and reports and our specialists confirm whether injection treatment is appropriate and plan a schedule before you commit to travel.
Because repeated injections are often needed, your coordinator arranges visits around your stay and explains how treatment can continue at home. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case rather than a fixed online price.
Related treatments
Considering intravitreal injections?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.