What to watch after injecting medicine into the eye

Injections in (microscopic injections) are not something that one is anxious to do, but are very important for treating diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema and retinal vein obstruction. 10 Injecting drugs into the eye is done in more and more people to treat their eye disease or to preserve vision from further damage. “Intra-Yaloid drug infusions are an invasive treatment, in which direct injection of anti-vascular agents (anti-VEGF), steroid drugs or other specific substances in the hyaloid body/space of the eye for specific therapeutic reasons is performed,” says Surgeon Ophthalmologist Dr. Anastasios-I. Kanellopoulos, MD, Founder and Scientific Director of the LaserVision Institute of Ophthalmology, Professor of Ophthalmology of the University of New York and adds: “Intraocular infusions are performed with tiny needles endovolbic every 1-2 months and have made a significant difference in the lives of millions of people worldwide”. In the United States alone, for example, it is estimated that over 7 million intra-vital infusions of drugs are carried out annually, increasing continuously over the last two decades. Most patients need anti-VEGF agents for retinal diseases, such as age macular degeneration. Treatments for these diseases are repeated for a period of time that individualizes in each patient separately. In our country they are also carried out by the ophthalmological units of daily care. Prior to infusion, local anesthesia is performed by simply instilling anesthetic potassium. The effect of anesthetic typically lasts about half an hour and so pain during infusion is minimal. However, when the anaesthetic stops acting, the patient may feel pain like weight or pressure due to the transient increase in intraocular pressure and/or microscopy. Pain normally disappears within 1-2 hours. It is also normal to feel that there is something like sand in your eyes, to tear and have diffuse redness in your eye. These symptoms also usually disappear within a few hours. There is also a potential for you to notice soon after infusion a small dot of blood into your eye white. Subconjunctival bleeding, as it is said, is due to the rupture of a small blood vessel on the surface of the eye during the injection. This bleeding is a rare side effect and usually disappears within a week. The infusion can also cause intense dryness in the eye, which can be avoided by special preparations (gel, collars) that your eye doctor will administer. Remember to change the collar before each injection into the eye to reduce the risk of eye contamination. Most collars indicate how long after opening should be discarded. At hours after infusion you may also see floating signs or shadows in your visual field or feel your eye irritated. Depending on the medicine that has been injected into your eye, these symptoms resolve within a few hours or may last 1-2 days. Ask your eye doctor what to expect. However, if eye pain or intense reddening develops one to seven days (days 2 and 3 are more critical) after infusion, consult your eye doctor immediately. These symptoms are suspected of endophthalmitis, an infection in the eye requiring immediate treatment. You should do the same if you experience a visual decrease in the days after infusion. Eye care after infusion is not complicated. It is recommended to avoid driving for at least 6 hours because your vision may be blurred if pre-invasive drops are used to dilate the pupil of the eye. Avoid the first 48 hours rubbing your eye, for it is at risk of injury. If you feel itchy, close your eye and tamponaret it very gently with a clean tissue. Right after you drop the tissue. If you need to repeat the procedure, use clean. Wipe the tears from the eyes gently with clean, sterile gauze. Again, you should not force or rub the eye where the injection has been made. In the first 48 hours no water and soap or shampoo should be put into your eye. If you need to bathe, it is better to lean your head backwards (as in hair salons). For the same reason you must avoid swimming for a 48-hour period, even with sea glasses. During the same period you should avoid using makeup and more generally painting eyes, as well as activities that may increase intraocular pressure (e.g. bending). You should also not exercise in the first 24 hours, nor laborious activities. Do not also spend a few days with your garden or pots, even if you do not bend. If you want to take care of your flowers, wear protective glasses. Also avoid wearing contact lenses for the first two days. If you use eye drops or gels for other reasons, ask your eye doctor if you can continue using them after injection into your eye. On the contrary, from day one you can watch TV or write on the computer. You can also travel by plane if necessary. However, since most complications develop in the first 24-48 hours, it is recommended that you wait two days before leaving your ophthalmologist. Finally, use the eye drops that the eye doctor may have recommended. “Most eye discomforts after intra-vital injection are transient and are steadily improving as the hours and days pass”, points out Dr. Kanellopoulos and concludes: ‘If a patient develops increasing pain or discomfort in the eye, pus or other secretion, sudden decrease or change in vision, increased sensitivity to light, increased black spots or “lights” in his visual field, he must immediately consult his eye doctor. These symptoms may be warning signs of infection or inflammation in the eye, which should be treated immediately.”