Intravitreal injection is a common, in-office procedure used to deliver medication directly into the eye to manage serious conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic retinopathy. While the procedure is quick, returning home requires planning for safety. Driving is never permitted immediately following the injection, regardless of how well a person feels. This temporary restriction ensures patient safety and prevents accidents due to compromised vision.
Immediate Visual Impairment
The inability to drive immediately stems from several physiological changes that occur during the treatment process. Before the injection, topical anesthetic drops are applied to numb the eye surface, which can cause temporary blurriness and a gritty sensation. These numbing agents often affect the clarity of vision for a few hours after the procedure.
The medication is injected into the vitreous, the gel-like substance that fills the eye, which can introduce tiny air or gas bubbles. These bubbles or the dispersing medication fluid often appear as black spots, shadows, or “floaters” in the patient’s field of vision. This temporary obstruction interferes with a clear line of sight and reliable depth perception, both necessary for safe driving.
Furthermore, the injection can cause a temporary, mild elevation in intraocular pressure (IOP). Although this pressure typically returns to normal within minutes, the initial mechanical disturbance contributes to unreliable visual quality immediately post-procedure. The combination of blurry vision from the drops and the presence of new floaters makes the treated eye unreliable for operating a vehicle.
The Driving Safety Timeline
The standard recommendation is to arrange for transportation home and avoid driving for a minimum of 12 to 24 hours following the injection. The effects of the numbing drops usually wear off within a few hours. However, the floaters or shadows from the medication bubbles may persist for a full day or sometimes longer, and individual recovery speed varies greatly.
Patients must wait until all visual disturbances have completely resolved. For legal driving safety, binocular vision—using both eyes together—is often required, meaning the treated eye must contribute reliable visual information and depth perception. Relying solely on an untreated eye can be unsafe, especially if that eye has underlying vision issues.
The definitive clearance to resume driving must come from the treating ophthalmologist, who considers the specific medication used and the patient’s overall visual status. Until a person can confidently confirm their vision has returned to its pre-injection level, it is safest to assume they are impaired for driving purposes. Waiting until the morning after the procedure often ensures vision is fully stable.
Essential Post-Procedure Care and Red Flags
To facilitate healing and reduce the risk of complications, several post-procedure care steps should be followed. Patients must avoid rubbing the injected eye for the rest of the day, as the surface may still be slightly numb and vulnerable to scratching. If prescribed, medicated eye drops should be used exactly as directed to prevent infection.
For the first 24 to 48 hours, patients are advised to avoid activities that introduce water into the eye, such as swimming or using hot tubs, due to the risk of bacterial infection. Heavy lifting or strenuous exercise should also be avoided on the day of the procedure to prevent undue pressure changes within the eye. The white of the eye may show a small, harmless red spot where the needle entered, which will fade within a week.
While the procedure is generally safe, certain “red flags” signal a possible complication that requires immediate medical attention. These symptoms warrant an immediate call to the eye specialist:
- A significant and sudden decrease in vision.
- Severe or worsening pain not relieved by over-the-counter medication.
- A progressively red eye.
- New or increasing flashes of light.
- A noticeable discharge.
- The sensation of a dark curtain moving across the field of vision.