Macular Degeneration Injections

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What is Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration is a condition that affects the macula, the central vision part of the retina at the back of your eye. The macula is the part of your eye responsible for your central, colour and detailed vision, so its degeneration can cause significant visual problems.


Macular degeneration can affect one or both eyes and typically causes problems with your central vision. You may notice that reading and close work become difficult, and there may be blank areas, distortion or a grey or black spot in the centre of your vision.


Your peripheral or ‘side’ vision will usually remain unaffected if you suffer from macular degeneration. This means that even people with severe macular degeneration, whose central vision is badly affected, can usually still carry out daily living activities. 


Call 130 Eye on (07) 4779 8008 to make an appointment for macular degeneration treatment with Dr Glastonbury—please note that you will require a referral from your general practitioner or optometrist. Our practice is open Monday-Friday and is located at Ross River Rd in Townsville.

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Macular Degeneration: What Vision Looks Like 

Macular degeneration is a condition that can affect the clarity of central vision, making everyday tasks like reading, recognising faces and driving more challenging. The macula, which is responsible for sharp, detailed vision, can deteriorate over time, causing distortions. When this area is impacted by macular degeneration, individuals might start noticing subtle changes in how they see things. For some, these changes may appear as blurred or wavy lines when looking at straight objects, like the edge of a window or a street sign. 


Over time, small dark or blank spots might start to form in the centre of vision, making it harder to focus on fine details. Colours might also seem less vivid, which can make it tricky to tell similar shades apart. In the case of wet macular degeneration, the condition can sometimes bring about sudden changes, like noticing a dark spot in your central vision or seeing straight lines that may appear bent or distorted. On the other hand, dry macular degeneration often develops slowly, with a gradual reduction in your ability to see fine details.


For those experiencing rapid vision changes, wet macular degeneration treatment can help slow down the progression of the disease. This often includes a macular degeneration eye injection, which targets abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye. On the other hand, dry macular degeneration treatment focuses on managing the condition over time, often involving lifestyle adjustments, nutritional support, and regular monitoring.


If you’re seeking macular degeneration treatment in Australia, it’s important to explore both wet and dry macular degeneration treatment options with your healthcare provider. A macular degeneration injection may be recommended as part of your treatment plan, particularly for wet macular degeneration. 


At 130 Eye, we provide dry and wet macular degeneration treatment in Australia, focusing on care that meets each patient’s unique needs. Our approach includes offering injections for macular degeneration. Contact us to learn more.

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Information & Treatment

Dry AMD is the most common form of macular degeneration and affects around 85-90% of people with AMD. Vision loss is usually gradual.


Wet AMD is the more aggressive form of macular degeneration and can lead to rapid and significant loss of vision. It accounts for 10-15% of AMD sufferers. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the macula. These can leak fluid and blood, causing permanent damage to the retina. Symptoms of wet AMD include a reduction of central vision and also a distortion of vision which can make straight lines (such as window frames or lines of text) look bent, warped or wavy.


Macular degeneration is generally caused by aging and is more common in people aged 60 and over.


Early detection is the best way to tackle macular degeneration treatment. This can be achieved with regular eye checks, especially if you notice changes in your vision.

Intravitreal Injections

An intravitreal (into the vitreous cavity) injection is a way of delivering medications to the retina in the back of the eye. Certain medications will not reach the retina if given as eye drops or pills and therefore need to be injected directly into the eye. Intravitreal injection is a procedure typically performed when fluid has built up either in or under the retina. Common medications that are injected include Lucentis, Eylea and Dexamethasone. Your doctor will discuss with you which specific medication is recommended for your condition and why it will help your vision. 


Lucentis and Eylea are a certain class of medication called Anti-VEGF. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a local hormone that is released in the tissues that cause blood vessels to become porous (allowing fluid to leak) or to grow new blood vessels (abnormal vessels). Both these medications are used to stop fluid/blood from leaking out of blood vessels, which is a common occurrence in both wet macular degeneration and macular oedema. In wet macular degeneration, intravitreal injections are used to prevent the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina. These abnormal blood vessels leak fluid and blood and are very damaging to the retinal photoreceptors.

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An Ongoing Eye Test

What Does the Procedure Entail?

The procedure is typically quick and performed in the doctor's office. Patients usually experience little to no discomfort during the injection itself, as the eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops beforehand. Although it may sound intimidating, a macular degeneration injection is a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment that can prevent significant vision loss.


After receiving a macular degeneration injection, proper aftercare is crucial to ensure optimal recovery and minimise any potential complications. 'Patients should rest for at least a few hours post-injection, allowing the eye time to adjust. It is common to experience mild discomfort, blurred vision, or slight redness in the treated eye, but these symptoms typically resolve within a few days.


Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and swimming for at least 24 hours after the injection. It's essential to follow any specific instructions provided by the ophthalmologist regarding eye drops or medications. Regular follow-up appointments are vital for monitoring the treatment's effectiveness and addressing any concerns.


Additionally, patients should watch for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge from the eye, and contact their healthcare provider if these occur. Maintaining open communication with the ophthalmologist ensures a smooth recovery and continued management of macular degeneration.

How Often Are Macular Degeneration Injections Required?

The frequency of macular degeneration injections depends on the severity of the condition and how well your eye responds to the treatment. Initially, most patients with wet AMD will require a series of injections—usually once a month—until the fluid buildup is under control. After the initial series, your ophthalmologist may adjust the treatment schedule, sometimes extending the intervals between injections to every two or three months.


It is important to follow the recommended treatment plan to maintain the benefits of the macular degeneration injection. Skipping injections or delaying treatment can allow the condition to worsen, leading to more permanent vision loss. Regular monitoring through follow-up appointments ensures that your eye care specialist can assess how well the treatment is working and adjust it if necessary.

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An Ongoing Eye Checkup

Who Should Consider Macular Degeneration Injections?

Not everyone with macular degeneration will need injections. Macular degeneration injections are primarily used for patients diagnosed with wet AMD, where abnormal blood vessels are actively causing fluid leakage and damage to the retina. Dry AMD, which progresses more slowly, is usually managed with lifestyle changes, supplements, and regular monitoring. However, if you are experiencing sudden changes in vision or notice symptoms such as straight lines appearing wavy, it is important to consult with an eye care professional immediately. Early intervention can help prevent severe vision loss.

Contact Us for Macular Degeneration Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with wet macular degeneration or are experiencing changes in your central vision, do not wait to seek professional help. A macular degeneration injection could be the key to preserving your sight and maintaining your quality of life. At 130 Eye, we are committed to providing expert care and the latest treatments to help you manage your condition effectively. Call us today to schedule an appointment with Dr Glastonbury.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why am I seeing a black spot after eye injection?

    Moving circular black spots in your vision (floaters) may be noticeable immediately following the injection and can last up to 24 hours. A small red area or haemorrhage at the site of injection is also commonly seen in the first few days after injection. This occurs as a result of a capillary being punctured and is nothing to be concerned about. It is similar to a bruise on the outside of your eye and will resolve completely over one to two weeks. 

  • How is the eye injection done?

    Firstly, you will have some local anaesthetic drops instilled into your eye, and then a small amount of local anaesthetic will be applied to the surface of your eye in the area your injection is to be performed. Following this, the area around your eye and the lids will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution. After allowing time for the antiseptic to dry and the anaesthetic to take effect, the doctor will inject the medication through the white part of your eye.

  • Will the injection hurt?

    In most cases, the anaesthesia eliminates the sensation of pain from the eye injection. There will be some discomfort and a feeling of pressure. Some people notice a greying or blurring of their vision for some minutes after the injection. On very rare occasions, a very quick pinching sensation may be felt.

  • What are the risks?

    The most important risk of the injection is an infection inside the eye. However, this is a very rare complication occurring in much less than 1% of injections. Other rare complications include bleeding inside the eye, cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment. More common side effects include irritation and a temporary increase in pressure inside the eye.

  • What would be the symptoms of an infection inside the eye?

    The symptoms of an infection inside the eye include severe eye pain that doesn’t go away, a large drop in vision, and severe red eye. Mild irritation and redness on the white part of the eye are normal after the injection, especially on the first day. If you have any of these symptoms or if you are concerned, you should call your doctor the same day for further evaluation.

  • Do I need to take any special care or medication after my injection?

    Yes. Your doctor will give you an antibiotic drop to use in the injected eye, and you should take one drop two times a day for three days. You should avoid getting water in the eye for the first three days after the injection. There are no restrictions on watching TV or working on the computer after the injection.


    Post Injection Instructions: 


    • Use the antibiotic eye drop as directed 
    • Avoid swimming for three  days

    Call your doctor if you experience any significant pain, redness or a large drop in your vision in the injected eye.​ 

  • What to expect after your injection?

    • You may experience some eye discomfort for one to two days after your injection.  You can take two Paracetamol tablets every four hours to alleviate this discomfort if required.
    • You may have some generalised redness/grittiness of your eye for one to two days following your injection.  You can use a lubricant drop (purchased from the chemist) to help alleviate this.
    • You may have a large area of what might appear as bleeding on the white part of your eye.  This is a bleed from a blood vessel and will dissipate in a week or two. 
    • You may notice some small floaters in your vision. These will disappear in one to two days.
    • You may have some initial light sensitivity which should settle within the first day.
    • Use your antibiotic drops for three  days after your injection as instructed.

    Please contact us if you are experiencing:

     

    • Increasing pain / worsening pain after your injection
    • Worsening redness after your injection
    • Reduced/worsening vision after your injection 
    • Increasing light sensitivity with aches 
    • Increased floaters 
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