Injections for macular degeneration: Uses and benefits Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Injections for macular degeneration What to expectMedically reviewed by Jenna Stoddard, OD — By Mathieu Rees on May 30, 2022Macular 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. Share on PinterestPeter Dazeley/Getty ImagesOver 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. A brief overview of macular degeneration Macular degeneration is a condition that causes damage to the macula, which is part of the retina. Macular degeneration accounts for roughly 8.7% of cases of blindness worldwide. There are two types of macular degeneration: wet and dry. The dry form can convert into the wet subtype. A 2021 review explains that wet macular degeneration occurs when there is the presence of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF promotes the production of blood vessels. In people with wet macular degeneration, an excess of VEGF causes the formation of too many blood vessels around the retina. This process primarily affects the macular, causing vision problems. These include the following symptoms:blurred visionvisual distortionsblind spots When to consult a doctor Without treatment, wet macular degeneration is likely to cause serious vision loss. For this reason, anyone experiencing symptoms of wet macular degeneration should seek advice from a doctor. Earlier treatments enable doctors to slow the progression of the disease as much as possible. How to prepare 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 offsubconjunctival hemorrhage, which refers to eye bleedingin rare cases, other complications, such as:traumatic cataractretinal tearsendophthalmitis, a bacterial or fungal infection that affects the eye tissue How the injections work 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 recent paper from 2022 explains, this treatment works using a needle to inject certain medications into the person’s eye. The function of these medications is to reduce the potency of VEGF, which helps prevent the disease from worsening. 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, 20–30% of those receiving these injections will lose at least six lines of vision, in comparison with 50–60% of those who do not receive this treatment. What to expect A 2020 paper explains that intravitreal injections can occur in the operating room or a doctor’s office. 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 musicproviding a comfortable neck pillowallowing people to hold someone’s hands if possibleproviding 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 eyeswimmingwearing eye makeuprubbing the eyes Outlook As noted above, the outlook for people with wet macular degeneration varies greatly on whether or not they receive timely treatment. Intravitreal injections can greatly reduce symptoms and lower the risk of a person losing their vision. 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. Summary 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. Last medically reviewed on May 30, 2022Eye Health / BlindnessMedically reviewed by Jenna Stoddard, OD — By Mathieu Rees on May 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat is exudative macular degeneration? Exudative macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease that causes leaky blood vessels and can lead to vision loss. Learn more.READ MOREMacular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa: A comparison Macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa are both eye conditions that affect the retina. Learn more about the similarities and differences here.READ MORECan treatments reverse macular degeneration? Macular degeneration is not reversible, but it is treatable and preventable in some cases. Click here to learn more. READ MOREAge-related macular degeneration: Dry type Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) dry type progresses more slowly than wet AMD. There is no cure, but treatment can slow vision loss.READ MOREMacular degeneration vs. glaucoma: What to know AMD and glaucoma can both lead to vision loss. Read on for the symptoms and risk factors, the differences between each eye condition, preventions, and…READ MORE