Patient Instructions: Injections

If you are scheduled to have an Intra-vitreous Injection please follow the following instructions:

1. Start using the antibiotic drops 3 days prior to your appointment
2. Apply one drop 3 times per day, in the eye scheduled for the Injection.

EYE LID HYGIENE:

1. Start lid hygiene 3 days prior to your injection.
2. Gently scrub the base of the lashes for about 15 seconds per eye lid. Use a drop of baby shampoo with a cotton Q-tip at least 2 times per day.
3. Tend to eye lid hygiene before applying antibiotics drops.
4. Do not wear makeup on the day of injection.
5. At least twice a day wet a washcloth with comfortably warm water, wring it out, and place it over the closed eye lid for 3 minutes. Rewet as it cools and repeat two or three times. This will soften and loosen scales and debris.
6. On the day of your appointment, let the Ophthalmic Assistant know that you have already followed all of these instructions. It will help minimize your waiting period.

If you have just had an intravitreal injection performed in our office, please follow these instructions:

1. Do not rub or touch your eye for the next 24 hours.
2. Do not allow water to get into your eye for the next 24 hours.
3. Use Extra Strength Tylenol for any discomfort or pain.
4. Finish your bottle of antibiotics. Use one drop three times a day for 7 days.
5. Sleep with your head elevated on two pillows.

The following symptoms may be normal after your injection:

1. Slightly blurry vision for up to 7 days.
2. Bloody tears.
3. A red spot or blotch on the white of the eye. This should go away on its own and should not interfere with your vision or cause pain.
4. You may notice new “floaters” in your field of vision. These may appear as black specks or bubbles and will typically disappear within a day or two.
5. While the goal of treatment is to prevent vision loss, some patients may experience an improvement in vision within the first 2–3 weeks.
6. Monitor your vision daily at home using an Amsler Grid.

Please call us immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Increasing pain that is not relieved by Tylenol
• Increasing redness
• Increasing blurriness or decreased vision
• Tenderness when touching the eye

If you experience any of the symptoms above, please call our office immediately at
(310) 944-9393. Your doctor will be paged immediately.