Some even delay treatment because they have heard that eye injections are extremely painful, damage the eye, or need to be taken forever.

These concerns are understandable, but many are based on misconceptions.

Eye injections, also called intravitreal injections, are used to deliver medicine directly inside the eye where it is needed. They are commonly used for retinal conditions including diabetic eye disease, retinal vein occlusion and certain forms of age-related macular degeneration. 

Here are some of the most common myths patients have about eye injections.

Myth 1: “An Eye Injection Will Be Extremely Painful”

This is probably the biggest fear patients have.

Before an intravitreal injection is given, numbing eye drops or local anaesthetic are used to reduce discomfort. The eye and the skin around it are also cleaned carefully before the procedure.

The injection itself usually takes only a few seconds. Patients may feel pressure, a brief prick or mild discomfort, but it is not generally experienced in the way many people imagine when they hear the words “injection into the eye.” 

Some irritation, watering or a gritty feeling can occur afterward, especially once the numbing effect wears off.

Myth 2: “The Needle Will Damage My Eye”

Intravitreal injections are performed using a very fine needle and are given through a carefully selected area of the eye.

The medicine is delivered into the vitreous, the gel-like substance inside the eye, so that it can act closer to the retina.

Like any medical procedure, eye injections do carry risks, including infection, inflammation, bleeding, increased eye pressure or retinal complications. Serious complications are uncommon, but this is also why the procedure should be performed with proper sterile precautions and follow-up. 

So it would be incorrect to say an injection is completely risk-free, but it is also incorrect to assume that the needle routinely damages the eye.

Myth 3: “If I Start Eye Injections, I Will Need Them Forever”

Not necessarily.

The number and frequency of injections depend on why the injection is being given and how the eye responds to treatment.

For some retinal conditions, patients may initially need a series of injections followed by regular monitoring. The interval may later change depending on retinal scans, vision and disease activity.

Some patients require ongoing treatment, while others may need fewer injections over time.

There is no fixed number that applies to every patient. 

Myth 4: “One Injection Should Cure the Problem Completely”

Eye injections are not usually a one-time cure.

For example, in conditions such as diabetic macular edema, abnormal blood vessels can leak fluid into the retina. Medicines such as anti-VEGF injections are used to control this leakage and reduce disease activity.

The retina is monitored after treatment to decide whether another injection is required.

The aim may be to protect vision, reduce swelling or control the disease, depending on the individual condition. It would not be appropriate to promise that one injection will permanently cure every retinal problem.

Myth 5: “Eye Injections Are Only Given When Vision Is Almost Lost”

No.

Retinal treatment is often more useful when a problem is identified before severe damage has occurred.

A person with diabetes, for example, may develop retinal swelling or abnormal blood-vessel changes even before they notice a major difference in their vision.

This is one reason regular retinal examinations are important for people with diabetes.

Waiting until vision becomes severely affected may allow the retinal condition to progress unnecessarily.

Myth 6: “If My Eye Looks Red After the Injection, Something Has Gone Wrong”

A small red patch on the white part of the eye can sometimes occur after an injection because a tiny surface blood vessel has been disturbed.

Although it may look alarming, this type of redness often settles gradually and does not necessarily mean there is a serious problem. 

However, increasing redness together with worsening pain or a significant drop in vision is different and should be reported to the ophthalmologist promptly because these can be warning signs of infection or another complication.

Myth 7: “If My Vision Feels Better, I Can Skip the Next Appointment”

Feeling better does not necessarily mean the retinal condition has completely settled.

Your ophthalmologist may use an OCT scan or other retinal examination to check whether fluid, swelling or abnormal blood-vessel activity is still present.

Treatment decisions should therefore be based on both your symptoms and what the retina actually looks like.

Skipping follow-up appointments without discussing it with your doctor can make it harder to monitor the condition properly.

What Should You Expect After an Eye Injection?

Mild watering, irritation, temporary blurred vision or small floaters can sometimes occur after an intravitreal injection. These usually settle, although the experience differs between patients.

Your ophthalmologist will explain the precautions to follow after the procedure.

Seek medical attention promptly if you develop symptoms such as:

• increasing or severe eye pain

• worsening redness

• a significant or sudden decrease in vision

• unusual discharge

• new severe light sensitivity

These symptoms should not simply be ignored.

Eye Injections at Pixel Eye Hospital

If you have been advised an eye injection for diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema or another retinal condition, understanding why it has been recommended can make the treatment less frightening.

At Pixel Eye Hospital in Kukatpally and Sanath Nagar, Hyderabad, patients can undergo retinal evaluation and discuss whether an intravitreal injection or another retinal treatment is appropriate for their individual condition.

Dr. Abdul Rasheed, Dr. Krishna Poojita and the ophthalmology team at Pixel Eye Hospital can explain the retinal findings, the purpose of treatment and what patients can realistically expect before proceeding.

Final Thoughts

The words “eye injection” can sound much more frightening than the actual procedure.

Intravitreal injections are an established way of delivering medicine directly to the eye for several retinal conditions. They are not completely without risk, and they do not guarantee a cure, but many of the common fears surrounding them — such as extreme pain, inevitable eye damage or lifelong injections for every patient — are misconceptions.

If an injection has been recommended, the most useful step is to understand why your retina needs it, what the treatment is expected to achieve and how your eye will be monitored afterward.