Swelling (oedema) in the central part of the retina called macula can quickly impair central vision and cause significant visual symptoms.
Normally, medication is injected into the vitreous as a series of few injections administered every 4–8 weeks. The injection is a quick and usually painless operation, which takes place at an outpatient clinic. The primary medicines used in the treatment is antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medicine, while the secondary medicines are corticosteroids.
Intravitreal injections can also be used before vitreoretinal surgery to prevent vitreous haemorrhage (VH) related to the operation, clear the VH related to proliferative diabetic retinopathy and, in addition to laser treatment, regress the growth of new blood vessels.