Eye Injections

Eye injections provide a minimally invasive treatment option for various retinal conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal vein occlusion. At Apex Retina Institute, located in Long Beach, California, board-certified ophthalmologist Darren Knight, MD, and the team regularly administer eye injections using a mutually selected anesthetic technique that ensures optimal safety and comfort. Call Apex Retina Institute today to see if you can benefit from eye injections or book your appointment online.

What are eye injections?

Eye injections, also known as intravitreal injections, are a minimally invasive treatment for problems that affect your retina –– a light-sensitive piece of nerve tissue at the back of the eye. 

During treatment, Dr. Knight injects prescription medication ––like anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs, steroids, or antibiotics –– into your eye. Before administering the medication, he injects an anesthetic, ensuring the treatment is comfortable and pain-free. 

What types of problems can benefit from eye injections?

Dr. Knight and the Apex Retina Institute team use eye injections to treat various problems, including:

• Macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Retinal vascular disease
• Floaters and flashers 

Eye injections can provide relief from viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.

What is the process for getting eye injections?

Dr. Knight and the Apex Retina Institute team administer eye injections onsite during a quick outpatient procedure.

When you arrive at the office, Dr. Knight has you sit in a comfortable, reclining chair. He cleans your eyelids and eyes with a sterile solution and administers a local anesthetic so the injections don’t hurt.

After the anesthetic kicks in, Dr. Knight applies an iodine solution around your eyelids to help reduce the risk of infection. Then, he uses a tool called an eyelid speculum to hold your eyelids open.

Dr. Knight inserts a very small, thin needle into the white of your eye and administers the medication. He carefully removes the syringe, flushes your eye with an antiseptic solution, and moves you to a recovery room. The entire process takes 15-20 minutes.

What is recovery like after getting eye injections?

After eye injections, take the remainder of the day off work and get plenty of rest. You won’t be able to drive or operate heavy machinery, so make sure you have someone available to drive you home. 

Most people can return to work and other activities the next day, but if you experience eye pain, increased floaters, or blurry vision, contact Dr. Knight immediately. 

About a month after your injections, you return to Apex Retina Institute for a followup visit. At the followup, Dr. Knight completes an eye exam and monitors the success of treatment. Some conditions, like retinal vein disease and macular degeneration, require regular eye injections. Dr. Knight can develop a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your needs. 

Call Apex Retina Institute today to see if you’re a candidate for eye injections or make your appointment online.