Ophthalmology - Intravitreal Injections

Please DO NOT drive on the day of your injection appointment.

The injections are known as “anti-VEGF” drugs (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). VEGF is a chemical that stimulates the abnormal growth of these new fragile blood vessels.

Therefore, these injections are the treatment of choice, as they inhibit the growth of blood vessels by targeting a specific type of protein which is thought to cause this growth. Often a patient is prescribed a course of injections which will have been decided by your doctor.

How is anti-VEGF treatment given?

• It is a sterile treatment, which is normally done as an outpatient procedure in a ‘clean’ room specifically for that purpose
• To prepare you for your treatment, you will have anaesthetic eye drops to numb the front surface of your eye and antibiotic eye drops to reduce the risk of infection. Your skin will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution and the area covered with a sterile drape
• The injection will then be given by a Clinical Nurse Specialist. The drug is injected into the vitreous humor, which is the jelly- like substance in the eye. It is injected through the sclera (the white of the eye) which takes a few seconds, followed by further antibiotic drops to reduce infection

Will the injection be painful?

Although the surface of your eye will be numb you may notice a slight pressure and/or pin prick feeling for a second or two as the needle briefly enters your eye, like when you have blood drawn. Once the anaesthetic wears off, your eye may feel a little gritty and ache for approx.24 hours. This is perfectly normal. You can take mild over the counter pain relief if you wish.

What will my eye look like after the injection?

You may see a small blood spot (bruise) and/or swelling at the injection site. This is normal and will disappear within one to two weeks.

What will my vision be like after the injection?

Your eyesight may be a little blurred and you may have floaters. The floaters are tiny air bubbles in the drug, they are normal and will disappear after approx. two days.

What are the risks of the procedure?

On the day of your first injection, the Clinical Nurse Specialist will go through the risks that are outlined on the consent form, and you will receive a copy to take home with you. Injections into the eye are very safe procedures. Serious complications are rare. The most common post-injection complication is bacterial infection and occurs in about 1 in 1000 cases. Complications or injury to the retina are extremely rare. Some drugs can cause a rise in the intraocular pressure or can accelerate cataract formation.

What happens after my injection?

You will be free to leave immediately after your injection provided you feel well.

You will receive further appointments in due course for more injections or a follow up eye scan depending on what your doctor has recommended.

If you experience ANY of the following symptoms, please contact us without delay:

• Onset of severe pain and/or headache unresponsive to painkillers several hours or days after the injection
• Nausea and/or vomiting several hours or days after the injection
• A marked reduction in or loss of vision
• Your eye becomes sensitive to bright light
• You have sticky discharge from your eye
• You see flashing lights and/or feel as though you are looking through a cobweb

Eye Department Telephone numbers:

01706 901797 until 5pm
01706 901766 until 8pm
Outside of these hours please attend your local Urgent Care Centre or Accident and Emergency Unit.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ before your appointment:

If ANY of the following apply to you, you will likely not be able to have your eye injection/s so please contact us BEFORE attending your appointment so we can discuss your symptoms, advise you and re-schedule the injections if necessary.

• Red eye, sticky and/or painful eye
• Any active infection - urine, chest etc. An infected wound, ulcer or a rash
• Taking antibiotics or have taken antibiotics in the last 5 days.
• Experiencing a cold or a viral illness
• Recent chest pain or shortness of breath
• Undergoing investigations for any heart/circulatory issues
• Cold sore/s
• Dental treatment on the day of injection
• Unwell following any vaccination
• Recent admission to hospital – please ring to discuss before your injection appointment
• Stroke/TIA (transient ischemic attack or “mini-stroke”) in the last 3 months
• Heart attack in the last 3 months
• Blood clots or DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in the last 3 months
• Consumed alcohol within the last 24 hours of your injection date

Please ring our Macular Admin Clerks at Rochdale Infirmary on 01706 901704 (Mon - Fri 9am - 2pm) or Oldham Integrated Care Centre (OICC) on 0161 206 1501, option 1 (Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm) to discuss any of the above before attending for injection.

If you attend for injections with any of the above and you are cancelled/postponed, it has taken up a valuable injection appointment for someone else.

Please kindly ring a day or two before, if possible, to discuss any of the above if you are unsure. This often saves people making wasted journeys. Thank you.

Contact Details

Macular Clerk, Rochdale Infirmary: 01706 901704 (Mon - Fri 9am - 2pm).
Macular Clerk, Oldham Integrated Care Centre (OICC) Macular - 0161 206 1501, option 1 (Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm).

The Royal Oldham Hospital
A&E Department - 0161 627 8923 Friday 5pm until Monday 9am
Oldham Integrated Care Centre - Eye Clinic - 0161 206 2761 or 0161 656 1361 or 0161 656 1339 Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.30pm

Rochdale Infirmary
Eye Clinic - 01706 517641 or 01706 517640 or 01706 901757 Monday - Friday - 8am - 6pm
Eye Ward - 01706 901766 6pm - 8pm
Urgent Care Centre - 01706 517005
After 8pm Monday to Friday and Friday 8pm to Monday 8am

Fairfield Hospital, Bury
Eye Ward and Eye Clinic - as per Rochdale Infirmary contact details
A&E Department - 0161 778 2600
After 8pm Monday to Friday. Friday 8pm until Monday 8am