An injection into the eye is a common procedure used to manage several conditions affecting the retina. While the idea can be concerning, the process is designed to be as comfortable as possible, with specific steps taken to minimize sensation.
The Numbing Process
A thorough numbing process is the primary reason eye injections are not typically painful. This approach ensures the eye is desensitized before the injection. The process begins with anesthetic eye drops, often applied multiple times over 15 to 20 minutes to numb the eye’s surface.
Following the anesthetic, an antiseptic solution is used to clean the eye and eyelids, which reduces the risk of infection. The antiseptic may cause a brief, mild stinging or cooling sensation.
In some cases, a small anesthetic injection is administered to the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye. This provides a deeper level of numbness to the area.
What to Expect During the Injection
During the procedure, you will be in a reclined position to help you remain still and comfortable. A small, spring-like instrument called a lid speculum will be gently placed to hold your eyelids open. This prevents blinking during the injection, removing any concern you might have about keeping your eye open at the right moment. The use of this device is not painful and helps the ophthalmologist have clear access to the eye.
Your doctor will then ask you to look in a specific direction, which moves the needle out of your direct line of sight. You will not see the needle coming toward the center of your vision. Patients generally report feeling a sense of pressure on the eye rather than a sharp pain. This sensation is brief, as the injection itself is over in just a few seconds.
The medication is injected into the vitreous cavity, the gel-like substance that fills the eyeball. The needle used is extremely fine, similar in width to a human hair, which contributes to the minimal sensation. The entire process at this stage is very quick, and your doctor will be communicating with you throughout.
Sensations After the Procedure
After the anesthetic wears off in the hours following the injection, it is common to experience some mild and temporary sensations. A gritty or scratchy feeling is often reported, which can be a result of the antiseptic used to clean the eye. Your eye may also water more than usual, and some general soreness or an ache is considered normal.
It is also common to see new floaters, which may look like dots, bubbles, or shadows in your field of vision. This is the medication itself moving within the vitreous gel of your eye, and it typically resolves within a few days. You might also notice a small, red spot on the white of your eye at the injection site. This is a subconjunctival hemorrhage, a harmless bruise that will clear up on its own.
While mild discomfort is expected, severe or worsening pain is not. If you experience progressively worse pain, increased light sensitivity, or a significant decrease in vision, you should contact your doctor’s office. These symptoms are uncommon but require prompt medical attention to rule out complications like infection.