The Side Effects of Eye Injections for Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of preventable blindness among adults in the U.S. While the disease is often asymptomatic in its early stages (mild, moderate), its more advanced stages (moderate, severe, proliferative) can lead to visual impairment and potentially irreversible blindness. When the disease begins to progress to this dangerous level, an ophthalmologist may recommend anti-VEGF injections— a targeted treatment to stabilize normal blood vessels and slow abnormal blood vessel growth. This stabilization improves retinal abnormalities and prevents further damage.

These injections are a valuable tool for advanced diabetic retinopathy care and treatment, but they do not come without risks. Understanding eye injection for diabetic retinopathy side effects, standard patient experiences, and how to minimize complications can help providers and care teams better guide patients through the treatment process.

Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that if diagnosed late and inadequately treated, may eventually lead to permanent vision loss—but it doesn’t have to. Better control of blood sugar and early detection through diabetic retinal screenings are key to preventing the disease from reaching the stage where injections are indicated.

Diabetic Eye Disease Injections

The main type of injection used to treat diabetic retinopathy is an intravitreal anti-VEGF medication injected directly into the eye.  Diabetic retinopathy occurs as a result of too much VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) in the eye, which first causes normal blood vessels to leak and eventually causes abnormal blood vessel growth. Anti-VEGF injections slow this process and provide treatment by:

• Blocking abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina
• Reducing swelling in the retina, including the macula 
• Stabilizing or even improving vision for some patients

These injections are given directly into the vitreous (the gel-like substance inside the eye) by an ophthalmologist or retina specialist. 

The Typical Procedure Process

While every patient’s experience of receiving anti-VEGF injections will vary, most injection visits follow a pattern similar to this: 

1. The eye is numbed eye drops or local application of anesthetic at the injection site to minimize discomfort.
2. The patient is often put in a reclined position.
3. The eye is then cleaned with an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.
4. A wire eyel speculum is placed to keep the eye open during the injection.
5. The doctor will instruct the patient to look in a specific direction.
6. Medication is injected into the vitreous cavity using a very small, fine needle.
7. A post-injection check is conducted to ensure eye pressure is stable before the patient leaves.

The procedure itself usually takes only a few minutes, though the total appointment may last 30–60 minutes. The timing and number of injections required for effective treatment depends on the status of every individual patient’s condition—some only receive a handful of injections, while others need injections for prolonged periods of time. 

Common Short-Term Side Effects

Eye injections for diabetic retinopathy may cause slight discomfort or temporary side effects, including:

• Mild discomfort or irritation in the treated eye
• Small dark shapes or spots in vision (known as floaters) that come from tiny air bubbles
• Slight redness or a small subconjunctival hemorrhage at the injection site
• Light sensitivity for one or two days 
• Mildly increased eye pressure

These effects typically improve on their own within 24–48 hours. Providers should encourage patients to follow aftercare instructions closely to minimize irritation and infection risk.

Rare Injection Complications

While serious side effects from injections are uncommon, it’s important to be aware of side effects that require urgent medical attention. Prompt treatment in the event of adverse side effects can preserve vision and prevent long-term damage, so providers should instruct patients to seek immediate help if they experience:

• Persistent or severe eye pain
• Sudden vision loss or worsening vision
• Flashes of light or a curtain-like shadow (a sign of retinal detachment)
• Increasing redness, swelling, or discharge (which could be a sign of infection)

Additional Considerations and Cost Factors for Anti-VEGF Injections 

Because diabetic retinopathy is a chronic condition, many patients require ongoing injections over months or years. There are a number of factors to consider for patients who will need this treatment in order to ensure potential risks and care gaps are addressed early. 

One factor is the presence of several different biologic agents used, which differ in effectiveness, cost, duration of effect, and indications. It may be appropriate to change specific agents based on the individual response and needs.

These considerations also include the risk of complications that inevitably arise over time due to repeated injection exposure, as well as the burden of time and cost on patients who may have limited options for transportation or insurance coverage.

Why Early Screening Matters

With the potential complications and challenges of eye injections for diabetic retinopathy in mind, it becomes clear why early screening to facilitate diagnosis and treatment is so crucial for practitioner and patient success. While eye injections are most often needed in more advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy, early-stage disease can be managed with less invasive measures. 

The IRIS solution enables in-home healthcare organizations, Medicare Advantage plans, and primary care providers to detect diabetic retinopathy in early non proliferative stages. Fundus cameras coupled with the IRIS software platform are available for primary care and in-home health providers, which means more care gaps are eliminated and more healthcare organizations can improve their HEDIS/STAR ratings for care. These benefits ultimately lead to better patient outcomes, financial savings for the patient and plan by avoiding costly procedures, and more patients who can maintain their vision and independence 

To learn more about how the IRIS solution can serve your patients and organization, reach out to our team of experts or schedule a demo today! 

FAQs

What are eye injections for diabetic retinopathy?

Eye injections for diabetic retinopathy are treatments given by ophthalmologists to slow abnormal blood vessel growth to prevent further retinal damage.

What are the common side effects of eye injections for diabetic retinopathy?

Temporary discomfort, redness, floaters, and light sensitivity are the most common side effects.

Are eye injections for diabetic retinopathy painful? 

Numbing drops are administered before the injection, so most patients report only mild discomfort.

How long do the side effects of an eye injection last?

Mild effects usually resolve within 24–48 hours.

What should I do if my vision worsens after an eye injection?

A prolonged experience of increased eye pain or worsening vision after an eye injection could indicate the need for urgent treatment, so contact your provider immediately.

 

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