ProcedureWatch pain and vision
After Intravitreal Injection
General guidance after an injection into the eye.
Medical disclaimer
This guidance is general patient education. Always follow the specific instructions given by your own surgeon or eye doctor — they take priority over anything on this page.
Do
- Follow clinic instructions carefully.
- Use drops only if prescribed.
- Keep the eye clean.
- Attend follow-up appointments.
- Expect mild irritation or a small red spot if the clinic said this may happen.
- Do not let water enter your eye for 14 days after surgery or an eye procedure unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
Don't
- Do not rub the eye.
- Do not press on the eye.
- Do not swim until the clinic says it is safe.
- Do not get water, soap, shampoo, conditioner, or face wash in the eye.
- Do not ignore worsening pain or vision loss.
- Do not expose the eye to trauma or dirty water.
- Do not let the eye drop bottle tip touch your eyelashes, eyelids, eye surface, fingers, skin, or any surface. Touching the bottle tip can contaminate the drops.
About your eye drops
- Use drops only if prescribed.
- Do not let the eye drop bottle tip touch your eyelashes, eyelids, eye surface, fingers, skin, or any surface. Touching the bottle tip can contaminate the drops.
Water & washing
- Do not let water enter your eye for 14 days after surgery or an eye procedure unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
- During showering or face washing, keep the eye closed and avoid direct water, soap, shampoo, or face wash entering the eye.
Normal things you may notice
- Mild irritation or scratchy feeling
- Small red spot on the white of the eye
- Mild watering
- Temporary floaters or bubbles if mentioned by the clinic
Warning signs — contact the clinic urgently
- Severe eye pain
- Significant vision loss
- Increasing redness
- Worsening light sensitivity
- Pus or discharge
- Increasing floaters
- Curtain or shadow in vision
- Water, soap, shampoo, or dirty water entered the eye and symptoms worsen
- Eye trauma, strong rubbing, or pressure to the eye
When to call the clinic
- If pain becomes severe.
- If vision worsens significantly.
- If redness increases after the first day.
- If discharge or severe swelling occurs.
- If water or chemicals entered the eye and symptoms worsen.
- If the eye was rubbed strongly, bumped, pressed, or injured.
Have questions about your eyes?
This information is general education and does not replace a professional eye examination. If you are worried about your eyes, book an appointment.