The injection process

After explanation and informed consent is obtained you will be laid back in the exam chair. You will receive numbing drops to numb the surface of the eye (Alcaine and Tetraine), followed by Betadine drops to "clean" and sterilize the surface, Xylocaine jelly will be applied to further numb the surface, again Betadine will be instilled. You will be asked to close the eye and a Betadine prep pad will be placed over the eye and left for 2-3 minutes. This process is performed by a technician/nurse. Dr. Varma will then come into the exam room and again administer numbing drops and Betadine. The injection is given into the white part of the eye and the medication is injected directly into the vitreous (the jelly that fills the eye).  It only takes a few seconds and is usually painless.  It feels like a small point of pressure.  You cannot see the injection being done as it is given on the side of your eye away from your direct line of sight.  Immediately following your injection your eye will be flushed with sterile artificial tears.  You may notice some tiny floaters or bubbles in your vision, these are just little particles of the medication and nothing to be concerned about.

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What to know after your injection

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  •   Do not get anything in your eye including water the day of your injection. You can wash your face and 

      return to normal activity the next day.

  •   Avoid touching your eyes the day of your injection. If your eyes are irritated, you can use a fresh (sterile) 

      bottle of artificial tears. You can buy these over the counter at your pharmacy.

  •   If your eyes are painful, tearing or you have a headache, please take Tylenol (or whatever you would 

      normally use for a headache) and have a 2-3 hour nap.  

  •   The white of your eye may be very red immediately following the injection (subconjunctival hemorrhage) 

      this is due to bleeding at the injection site and is more common in people on Aspirin or other blood 

      thinners.  It always resolves spontaneously within 5 days to 2 weeks and will not do any harm to your 

      vision.

  •   Discomfort following injections usually settles within a few hours. 10% of injections can be painful but

      settle within 24 hours. Most issues that occur within the first 24 hours are not serious and resolve. If you

      have pain or decreased vision that lasts beyond 24 hours call the office immediately. This could

      represent an infection that could be serious and requires urgent attention. Do not go to emergency                please call the office directly or the after-hours phone number that is provided in your paperwork.

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