Intravitreal Injections
Intravitreal injections are one of the quickest, most precise ways to improve vision for certain retinal conditions. Professor Tom Williamson has performed thousands of these procedures in his 42 years as a retinal surgeon, always with a steady hand, meticulous technique, and a focus on keeping you comfortable from start to finish.
Why they’re used
Intravitreal injections give medicine a direct route to where it’s needed (the vitreous) without it having to travel through the rest of your body. Professor Tom Williamson uses this treatment to manage:
- Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD): To slow or halt the growth of abnormal blood vessels
- Retinal vein occlusion: To treat swelling and prevent further damage
- Macular oedema: Whether caused by diabetes, blocked veins, or inflammation
| Condition | Goal of treatment | Medicine type | Typical schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet AMD | Stop abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage | Anti-VEGF (aflibercept, ranibizumab) | Usually monthly at first, then spaced according to response |
| Retinal vein occlusion | Limit further leakage from damaged blood vessels | Anti-VEGF or steroid | Often monthly initially, then review |
| Macular oedema | Reduce inflammation and swelling | Anti-VEGF or steroid | Varies - monthly to every few months |
Step-by-step: What to expect
Before your injection
- You can eat, drink, and take your usual medication.
- Avoid wearing eye makeup.
- Your vision in the treated eye may be blurry for the rest of the day, so you may want to arrange transport.
During the procedure
- Anaesthetic drops numb the eye.
- The surface is cleaned with antiseptic.
- A fine needle delivers the medicine into the vitreous gel.
- Your eye is checked before you leave.
Afterwards
- Slight grittiness, redness, or a small red patch on the white of the eye are common and settle quickly.
- Temporary floaters or mild blurriness may occur.
- You can usually resume normal activities the same day.
How soon does vision improve?
| Condition | Timeframe | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Wet AMD | First few hours | Mild blurriness, occasional floaters |
| 1–2 weeks | Vision often stabilises; noticeable improvement is less common at this stage | |
| Ongoing | Gradual improvement may occur over weeks, but the main goal is to prevent further vision loss | |
| Retinal vein occlusion | First few hours | Temporary blurriness and irritation are common |
| 1–4 weeks | Reduction in retinal swelling may lead to clearer vision | |
| Ongoing | Vision may continue to improve over months with repeat injections | |
| Macular oedema (diabetic or inflammatory) | First few hours | Blurriness from the injection and antiseptic |
| 1–6 weeks | Gradual reduction in swelling; some patients notice clearer vision early, others later | |
| Ongoing | Full benefit may take several months and a course of injections |
The medicines used
Depending on your condition, you may receive:
- Anti-VEGF drugs, which block the signals that cause abnormal blood vessels to grow and leak.
- Steroids, to calm inflammation in certain types of macular edema.
Many conditions need a series of injections, spaced weeks or months apart, with regular eye scans to check your progress.
How much does it cost?
For wet AMD, anti‑VEGF injections can often begin the same day, at £1,953 per injection. For dry AMD, consultations to monitor your vision and guide your care are £250 per visit.
Insurance
We work with major insurance providers, including Bupa, AXA‑PPP, Vitality, WPA, and Aviva. As Professor Williamson is not a fee‑assured consultant, your insurer may not cover the full amount - we’ll confirm any costs with you before treatment.
“I have had regular appointments with Professor Williamson for over a decade. I have complete confidence in his skills and have not been disappointed”
Simon D.
Contact us
We’re here to help you understand what’s happening and guide you through your treatment with clarity and care.
