Caring for your eye after intravitreal injection
This page contains information and advice for you after your intravitreal injection procedure at the Modality Macular Clinic.
· What you should expect after treatment
· How to look after your eyes after treatment
· What to do in case of problems or an emergency
What you should expect after treatment
· Normal side effects include dots, bubbles, shadows or small specks in your vision (floaters, which may be of different colours) and may last a few days.
· Your eye may feel gritty, or you may have the feeling that you have something in your eye, due to the disinfectant used to clean your eye. This sensation may last for a few days and get continually better as time goes on. You will be given some artificial tear drops on the day of treatment which you can use as often as you like to relieve this. We may apply an antibiotic ointment immediately after the procedure which you can re-apply if the grittiness persists.
· You may experience pain or an ache in your eye for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. You can use over the counter pain medications if needed. Please ensure to read the instructions and do not exceed the recommended dose. It is best to avoid products containing aspirin. However, if you take regular soluble aspirin (75mg), you can continue to take it as advised by your GP.
· Your eye may be red or bloodshot. This can look dramatic but is nothing to worry about and should clear within a few days. You may have a small bleed on the white part of the eye (sub-conjunctival haemorrhage). Again, this is normal for this type of treatment and should clear within a week or so.
· Occasionally you may have mild bruising around the eye. This should fade gradually over the next couple of weeks.
How to look after your eyes after treatment
· Do not rub your injected eye for 24 hours.
· Do not wear make-up for at least 48 hours.
· Do not wear contact lenses for at least a week.
· Do not wash your face, hair or shower for 48 hours.
· Do not go swimming for at least a week.
· Please continue to use any eye medications (e.g. Glaucoma eye drops) that you were using prior to the injection, unless advised to stop by your ophthalmologist. Please note you must use fresh bottles of drops after injection. Please do not use any bottles that are already open.
· Always wash your hands before applying any eye drops.
What to do in case of problems or an emergency
We ask you to contact us urgently if your eye feels worse instead of better as time goes on. The following conditions – especially if they occur after 48 hours – can be warning signs of a complication:
· Pain that is not improving or getting worse.
· Significant, new light sensitivity.
· Redness that is not improving or getting worse. A localised red patch of haemorrhage at the injection site is normal.
· Worsening of vision or complete loss of vision.
· Floaters or flashes that are getting worse or a dark shadow or curtain from above or below.
· A milk-like fluid level in front of your iris (coloured part of your eye).
Failure to report any of the above symptoms may risk your eye sight. Please do not wait to contact us.
If you are worried after receiving treatment, please contact us:
· Monday to Friday 0900 - 1700hrs, please contact Modality LLP Ophthalmology Team Helpline:
0330 041 7475 Option 3
· After 5pm and at weekends or Bank Holidays, please contact Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre (BMEC) Eye Casualty: 0121 507 4440
· Email us (Monday to Friday 0900 - 1700hrs): modality.ophthalmology@nhs.net
In the event that you are not able to get a response by phone or email, please attend BMEC Eye Casualty. Opening hours are 0900 - 1800 hrs every day of the year (you do not need a referral for this service).
Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre
City Hospital
Dudley Road
Birmingham
B18 7QH