Intra-Vitreal Injections in Jalandhar

An intra-vitreal injection is a small dose of medicine injected directly into the eye. “Intra-vitreal” means “into the vitreous”, the clear jelly that fills the eye. Putting the medicine inside the eye lets it reach the retina — the light-sensing layer at the back — in a way that tablets and drops cannot. Over the last fifteen years these injections have changed the treatment of retinal diseases, and many patients who would once have lost their reading vision now keep it.

At Drishti Eye Care & Retina Centre in Lambra, Jalandhar, Dr Nalini Saxena gives intra-vitreal injections as part of her retina practice. She is a vitreo-retinal specialist with a dedicated fellowship from Venu Eye Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi, after her MS in Ophthalmology from Maulana Azad Medical College.

What is an intra-vitreal injection, and what does it treat?

Many retinal diseases share one problem: leaky or abnormal blood vessels that cause the retina to swell or bleed. The medicines used in these injections block the signal that makes vessels leak and grow, or calm inflammation, so the swelling dries up and vision improves. Conditions commonly treated with injections include:

• Diabetic retinopathy — swelling at the centre of the retina (macular oedema) and abnormal new vessels from diabetes. The most common reason for injections in Jalandhar.
• Wet age-related macular degeneration — leaking vessels under the centre of the retina in older people, causing distorted or blurred central vision.
• Retinal vein occlusion — a blocked vein in the retina, causing swelling and bleeding.
• Swelling after eye surgery or from inflammation inside the eye.
• Retinopathy of prematurity in premature babies, where an injection can stop abnormal vessels growing. See our ROP screening page.
• Before some retinal surgeries, to reduce bleeding during the operation.

Symptoms that may need an injection

• Blurred central vision, or difficulty reading and recognising faces
• Straight lines — door frames, tiles, lines on a page — looking wavy or bent
• A dark or grey patch in the centre of your vision
• Vision that changes from day to day, especially in diabetes
• A sudden shower of floaters or a red tint to the vision, meaning bleeding inside the eye

None of these symptoms tells you on its own that an injection is needed. That decision is made after a retina examination and scans.

When to see a doctor

See a retina specialist soon if you notice distortion or a central blur, especially if you have diabetes, are over 60, or have high blood pressure. Swelling at the centre of the retina responds best when treated early; the longer it sits, the more permanent the damage. If you have already been advised injections elsewhere and want a second opinion, or want to continue your course closer to home, bring your reports and scans.

How Dr Nalini gives intra-vitreal injections

Dr Nalini Saxena treats both medical and surgical diseases of the retina. She has passed the examination of the Royal College of Surgeons and has presented at international retina meetings including EURETINA. The injection is only one part of her care; the decision of which medicine, how often, and when to stop is what makes the difference.

1. Diagnosis first. Your pupils are widened and the retina is examined. Scans of the retina measure the swelling precisely. This gives a baseline to compare against at every review.
2. The injection. The eye is numbed with drops and cleaned with an antiseptic. A small clip keeps the eyelids open. Using a very fine needle, the medicine is injected through the white of the eye into the jelly. It takes a few seconds. Most patients feel pressure, not pain.
3. Afterwards. Antibiotic drops are given for a few days. You may see a few floaters or a dark bubble for a day or two, and the injection site may be red for a few days. These settle on their own.
4. Review. After a few weeks the retina is scanned again. If the swelling is going down, the course continues; once the retina is dry and stable, the gap between injections is stretched out, and eventually they may be stopped.

For diabetic patients, this is combined with advice on sugar and blood pressure control, and with planning of any cataract surgery so that the two do not work against each other.

What to expect on the day

• No fasting is needed. Take your usual medicines, including blood thinners unless told otherwise.
• Bring someone with you. Your vision will be blurry from the dilating drops and the injection for a few hours.
• Plan for about an hour at the clinic, most of it waiting for the drops to work. The injection itself takes a few seconds.
• Do not wear eye make-up, and tell us if you have any eye infection, redness or discharge — the injection is postponed until it clears.

Recovery after an eye injection

• Normal activities, including desk work and walking, from the next day.
• Use the antibiotic drops as prescribed. Do not rub the eye, and keep dirty water out of it for a few days.
• Mild irritation, a red spot at the injection site, and a few floaters are normal for a few days.
• Vision improves gradually over the following weeks as the swelling goes down — not on the same day.
• Call us the same day if you have increasing pain, increasing redness, a sudden drop in vision, or many new floaters after the injection. Infection after an injection is rare but must be treated immediately.

Cost of intra-vitreal injections in Jalandhar

Injections are charged per injection. The total cost of treatment depends on:

• The medicine used. Several different medicines are available, and their prices differ. Dr Nalini chooses based on the disease, how the eye responds and your budget.
• The number of injections in your course, which varies from patient to patient.
• Scans of the retina before and during treatment.
• One eye or both. Each eye is treated and charged separately.

The plan and the cost per injection are explained before the first injection. Ask our staff about insurance and government scheme paperwork.

Frequently asked questions