Securing the Vision
We now have drugs which can be directly injected into eyes to stop the fall in the vision and help in improving the eyesight as well, By Dr Rajeev Jain
Fall in vision is a common occurrence. Ageing is one of the leading causes of fall in vision. As one grows old, many of us have difficulty in reading even bold words and find difficulty in driving as well. Apart from age-related causes like cataract and macular degeneration, there are other medical conditions like diabetic retinopathy, bleeding in the eye, swelling in the retina and blocked blood vessels of the retina, all the conditions where vision is compromised. For an ophthalmologist, such conditions always offer many challenges.
Earlier, retina surgeons used to offer limited treatment and then hoped for the best. Not so any more. Now we have much more reliable treatment options in the form of drugs which can be directly injected into eyes. These drugs include Avastin, Lucentis, Ozurdex etc. Once injected, these have high success in stopping the fall in the vision.
In some cases these even help in improving the vision as well. These have indeed proved to be a boon and have brought sea change in the treatment.
How do these injections work?
Through these injections the drugs are injected into eyes and then these drugs block the growth of abnormal blood vessels. How it works is like this: there is a chemical by the name of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which is required for abnormal growth of blood vessels .Avastin® Avastin, Lucentis thwarts the production of VEGF, thereby reducing the growth of blood vessels in the eye that can leak and cause vision loss.
In which conditions are these injections most effective?
These injections are very useful in treating age related macular degeneration. About ninety percent of age-related macular degeneration can be treated by this. It is highly effective in treating macular edema caused by diabetic retinopathy.
How are these injections given?
First of all, this has to be done by eye specialists only. Before the procedure is performed, medication drops are put to numb the eyes and to make the procedure least uncomfortable. To minimize the risk of infection, eyes are cleaned with special iodine solution. Then a tiny needle is inserted into the white part of the eye (sclera) and the medicine is released. Few precautions are required before undergoing this procedure. First, no make up to be worn on the day of procedure; secondly, person undergoing the procedure should not himself drive back home after the procedure. All in all it is a very safe procedure with minimum risk of infection.
Risks associated with this treatment.
There are many risks related to eye infections. It may cause redness itchiness, pain, light sensitivity and other eye problems. If case such symptoms are noticed, one is advised to meet the treating eye doctor immediately. But all said and done, benefits far outweigh the risks and if the treating eye doctor recommends it, then don’t have second thoughts. Earlier you go for it, the better it is, as in early stages of diseases it is more effective as compared to those in the advanced stages.