Retinal Injections Near San Fernando Valley, CA

At Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, CA, our group proudly offers EYLEA® and LUCENTIS® injections for specific retinal disorders, such as macular degeneration. Made from anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), these injections can temporarily stop or prevent macular degeneration from progressing. Based on the severity of your condition, you may notice a drastic improvement in overall eye health. However, because the injections are only temporary, patients will need to schedule a series of appointments to maintain their results. If you would like to learn more about retinal injections, please call one of our convenient locations in Encino or West Hills.

Specific retinal disorders, such as wet macular degeneration, happen because of the growth of irregular veins underneath the retina. Anti-VEGF injections help manage macular degeneration by tentatively preventing the development of these blood vessels. VEGF is a type of protein found within the body that promotes the development of healthy veins, which helps with important bodily functions, like healing a wound. However, in certain cases, it contributes to the growth of unnecessary blood veins, including in wet macular degeneration. LUCENTIS and EYLEA are anti-VEGF injections that temporarily prevent the production of VEGF within the eye. Generally, patients quickly experience the effects of the injections, and within a few days, their vision starts to improve. Without administering anti-VEGF injections, these abnormal veins continue to grow and may begin to drain into the eye. If not treated in time, this could cause vision loss or blindness.

While macular degeneration might not be reversible, Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley is happy to provide our Los Angeles, CA patients with benefits from retinal injections, including:

• Prevention of rapid degeneration
• Halting the growth of new blood vessels
• Highly effective procedure
• Keeping your vision in tact as long as possible

If one of our expert ophthalmologists diagnosed you with macular degeneration, anti-VEGF retinal injections might work well for your condition. These injections can help people who suffer from wet macular degeneration, macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy. Because the injections offer a variety of benefits, our ophthalmologists tend to prefer this treatment for retinal disorders. However, in some cases, patients may still require more advanced treatment based on the severity of their condition. Our caring ophthalmologists at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, CA will complete a comprehensive eye exam and create a personalized treatment plan for anti-VEGF injections.

We administer retinal injections in one of our private treatment rooms at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, CA. To start with, one of our skilled team members will apply numbing anesthetic eye drops. After your eyes are completely numb, we clean your eyes with a sterile solution. Next, we ask you to look to one side so you cannot see us administer the injection. Because the effects are temporary, you will need to schedule continuous appointments. How often you schedule an appointment depends on your condition and the type of medication we have selected.

After receiving the injections, you may experience some mild side effects, but these generally subside on their own or require special eye drops. Side effects may include feeling like you have something in your eye, increased pressure and floaters, inflammation, and bleeding. We will provide post-care instructions, and we highly recommend following the directions to encourage proper healing. After 48 hours, our ophthalmologists require a follow-up appointment to assess your eye health and to determine if your eyes are responding to the treatment.

Do retinal injections hurt?

Retinal injections do not hurt because the eye is numbed with an anesthetic. However, we understand some patients may have anxiety about their injections. Our staff at OAV works with everyone — so they feel comfortable and at ease before treatment begins. We also ensure patients do not see the needle during the injection process.

Are retinal injections safe?

Yes. Retinal injections are very safe and have been used to treat a variety of retinal conditions for many years. There is always a risk of side effects with any medical treatment in Los Angeles, CA but the risks associated with this process are very low. We will always review the risks and benefits of treatment with you before beginning any procedure.

How do you prepare for retinal injections?

There is no special preparation required for retinal injections. Our staff can provide specific instructions depending on your health and the issue being addressed. In general, it is important to have someone drive you home after treatment and take it easy for the rest of the day. Patients should also avoid strenuous activity and rubbing their eyes afterward.

At Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, CA, our team offers a variety of innovative eye services, such as FDA-approved retinal injections. If we have diagnosed you with a retinal condition, such as macular degeneration, we will discuss the injections to determine if they are right for you. If so, our ophthalmologists at either location in Encino or West Hills can develop a treatment plan that works best for you. We encourage you to call and learn more.