Pain After Intraocular Injections

The most likely cause of pain after an injection is a corneal abrasion. This can result from rubbing the lid speculum over the cornea during its insertion. Doctors should lift the lids as they place the speculum. The metal speculum will rub on the conjunctiva beneath the lids but that usually causes only a mild and transient irritation. Cornea abrasions typically will heal within a few days but are extremely painful. Rarely they can become infected. Most physicians place their patients on topical antibiotics after the injection so that will reduce the risk of infection.

The other most likely cause of pain is dry eye and chemical irritation from the many anesthetic and antibiotic drops and Betadine that are used during the injection process. This usually occurs in patients who have had dry eye symptoms before. In patients with previous symptoms of dry eye, it would be best to routinely start artificial tears after the injection. In severe cases, it’s best to use artificial tears without preservatives.

Lucentis can cause intraocular inflammation but it’s uncommon, usually very mild, and therefore probably often not responsible for pain.

If pain persists for more than a day, the patient should check with their doctor. If pain is accompanied by reduced vision that could mean an intraocular infection, (endophthalmitis), and the patient should call the doctor immediately.

related posts:

Pain from Intraocular Injections (February 2007)

Pain After Avastin Injections (May 2006)

Pain with Intraocular Injections (November 2006)