Intravitreal Injections (Anti-VEGF)
Sight-saving eye injections for diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy — quick, comfortable, and backed by some of the strongest evidence in modern eye care.
What Are Intravitreal Injections?
An intravitreal injection delivers medication directly into the vitreous — the gel that fills the eye — placing it exactly where diabetic eye disease does its damage. At Eye MDs of Inland, we use the anti-VEGF medications Vabysmo®, Lucentis®, Eylea® HD, and Avastin® to treat diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
The procedure is done in the office and takes only minutes: the eye is numbed with anesthetic drops, cleaned with antiseptic, and the medication is injected through a needle finer than a strand of hair. Most patients feel pressure rather than pain, and go about their day afterward.
Why We Do It
In diabetic eye disease, damaged retinal vessels release a signaling protein called VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). VEGF makes vessels leak — swelling the macula and blurring central vision — and drives the growth of fragile new vessels that bleed and scar. Anti-VEGF medication blocks that signal at its source: in many patients, leakage decreases, swelling improves, and abnormal vessels regress. The degree of response differs from eye to eye, and no outcome can be guaranteed.
The Clinical Benefits
In large clinical trials, on average:
- Vision often improves — not just stops worsening. In the pivotal trials of anti-VEGF therapy for diabetic macular edema, patients gained on average two or more lines on the eye chart, with gains maintained over years of follow-up
- Proven against PDR. Landmark studies showed anti-VEGF therapy performed as well as laser for proliferative disease, with less loss of side vision
- May reduce disease severity. Regular treatment can move some eyes to milder retinopathy grades
- Office-based and fast — no operating room, and little to no downtime for most patients
- Repeatable and adjustable — newer agents like Vabysmo® and Eylea® HD can extend the interval between treatments for many patients, meaning fewer visits
These are average results from studies — your individual response may be better or worse. Treatment usually begins with monthly injections, then the interval is extended as your retina stabilizes — a plan we tailor to your response using OCT imaging at each visit.
Risks & Considerations
Intravitreal injections are among the most commonly performed procedures in all of medicine and have a strong safety record — but like any procedure, they carry risks, which we review with you before treatment:
- Common and temporary: eye redness or a small blood spot on the white of the eye, scratchiness, floaters, and a brief rise in eye pressure
- Uncommon: inflammation inside the eye, or a persistent rise in eye pressure that needs treatment
- Rare but serious: infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis, roughly 1 in several thousand injections), retinal tear or detachment, or injury to the lens — each can threaten vision and requires urgent care
- Practical: most eyes need a series of injections over time; benefits depend on continuing treatment as recommended
Call us immediately after an injection if you develop worsening pain, spreading redness, light sensitivity, or decreasing vision.
Part of a Complete Diabetic Eye Care Plan
Injections work best alongside good systemic control — see our evidence-based guide to diabetic retinopathy prevention and early-stage care. Depending on your disease, we may also recommend laser photocoagulation, or vitrectomy surgery for advanced cases. Learn more about diabetic retinopathy itself.
Don't wait on blurry vision.
Diabetic macular edema is most treatable when caught early. Our surgeons will examine your retina and build a plan the same visit.