Macular degeneration occurs due to the accumulation of cellular waste products from the retina, which signals it to create new blood vessels. By injecting medications that stop the formation of new blood vessels, doctors can help preserve a person’s vision.
![Various syringes on a flat surface](http://i0.wp.com/post.medicalnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/04/macular_injections_GettyImages494788729_Header-1024x575.jpg?w=1155&h=1528)
Over time, excess cellular waste within the retina creates an environment for new blood vessels to develop. When these form, it becomes exudative or “wet” macular degeneration. These new blood vessels can bleed easily and can cause scarring of the retinal tissue, leading to blindness without treatment.
After explaining how this condition affects the macula, this article will look at the injections doctors use to treat a type of macular degeneration. It will also discuss how these injections work, their efficacy, and what to expect before, during, and after the injection.
Macular degeneration is a condition that causes damage to the macula, which is part of the retina. Macular degeneration accounts for roughly
There are two types of macular degeneration: wet and dry. The dry form can convert into the wet subtype.
A
This process primarily affects the macular, causing vision problems. These include the following symptoms:
- blurred vision
- visual distortions
- blind spots
When to consult a doctor
Without treatment, wet macular degeneration is
Earlier treatments enable doctors to slow the progression of the disease as much as possible.
For some people, the thought of having intravitreal injections may cause concerns. However, a person can ask medical professionals questions about these injections to help alleviate these concerns.
Doctors will also inform people about the potential complications of the procedure. These include:
- discomfort and pain as the anesthetic wears off
- subconjunctival hemorrhage, which refers to eye bleeding
- in rare cases, other complications, such as:
- traumatic cataract
- retinal tears
- endophthalmitis, a bacterial or fungal infection that affects the eye tissue
Doctors can treat wet macular degeneration with intravitreal injections. These are injections that doctors insert into the vitreous, the area near the retina at the back of the eye.
As a
There is solid evidence that these intravitreal injections can prevent some vision loss in people with wet macular degeneration. Among people with wet macular degeneration,
A
After administering the anesthesia and cleansing the eye, the medical team will ask the person to look in the direction opposite to where they intend to insert the syringe. After a brief warning, the doctor or surgeon will insert the syringe into the person’s eye before injecting the VEGF inhibitors therein. The injections will only take a few moments.
The study also notes that the medical team may irrigate and lubricate the eye after the injection.
Effectiveness
It is important to note that this treatment is only effective with regular injections. The 2020 research suggests that intravitreal injections of VEGF inhibitors are most effective when doctors administer them every 4–6 weeks.
Research suggests that healthcare professionals can help make the procedure go as smoothly as possible by following certain steps. These include:
- playing relaxing music
- providing a comfortable neck pillow
- allowing people to hold someone’s hands if possible
- providing a verbal warning just before the injection takes place
Follow-up
Doctors may recommend avoiding certain activities at least 24 hours after receiving this treatment. This is to avoid any bacteria or other organisms near the injection area. These include:
- gardening or yard work, as plant matter could get into the eye
- swimming
- wearing eye makeup
- rubbing the eyes
As noted above, the outlook for people with wet macular degeneration varies greatly on whether or not they receive timely treatment. Intravitreal injections can
However, even with treatment, wet macular degeneration can be a challenging condition to live with and, in some cases, may cause emotional distress. A person should seek support and mental health care, which may help address any complications or concerns surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration is a condition that accounts for many cases of blindness. Wet macular degeneration involves new blood vessels forming around the retina, causing vision loss.
Intravitreal injections can greatly improve the symptoms of wet macular degeneration.