Everyone gets a little nervous when they hear the word "eye injection," right? It's actually quite common. But it can be a very important treatment to protect your precious vision. For some people, this is a new experience, so it's natural to have some questions and fears. So today, let's talk about this special injection called Ranibizumab, which is used to treat eye conditions, in a simple way that you can understand.
What is Ranibizumab?
Simply put, Ranibizumab is a liquid medicine that is injected directly into your eye. It is used to treat certain conditions that affect the retina and its blood vessels , which are the most sensitive part of the back of the eye that helps us see images.
Think of our eyes as a camera. The retina is the part of the camera that acts like the film. Due to certain diseases, especially age-related macular degeneration and diabetes, new, weak blood vessels start to form in the retina. These vessels can leak blood or fluid. This is what causes vision to gradually become blurry and disappear.
The Ranibizumab vaccine works by stopping and controlling the growth of those unwanted blood vessels. This drug blocks a protein (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor - VEGF) that helps those vessels grow. This can greatly control the worsening of the disease. It can also help some people maintain some of their vision loss.
The important thing is that this is not a cure for the disease. But it is a very effective treatment to control the disease and preserve your vision. You may have come across this drug under brand names like `Lucentis` or `Byooviz`.
Be sure to tell your doctor these things before starting treatment.
Before your doctor prescribes this treatment for you, he or she will need to know your complete health history. Therefore, please be clear about the following without hiding anything.
- If you currently have an eye infection (e.g., redness, tearing, pain)
- If you have glaucoma or are being treated for it.
- If you have had any previous eye surgery or other treatment .
- If you have an allergic reaction to this Ranibizumab medicine, any other medicine, food, dyes, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant, or are expecting to become pregnant soon.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
This information is essential for your safety and the success of your treatment.
How do you use this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can use at home. Ranibizumab is given in a clinic or hospital by an eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) who specializes in this treatment.
Before the treatment, the doctor will clean your eye thoroughly and apply a numbing medication. This will help you feel less pain when the injection is given. The medicine is injected into your eye through the white part of your eye using a very fine needle. The entire procedure takes very little time.
Do you give this to small children?
Although this is usually a treatment for adults, in some special cases it may be necessary to give it to children. In that case, your doctor will take special care and take the necessary steps.
What happens if you take too much medicine?
Since this is administered by a doctor, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, if you have any concerns, contact your doctor immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU). You can also contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I miss the day of my vaccination?
In this case, you don't have to worry about a medication schedule. The clinic will decide the date of your next vaccination. All you have to do is attend the clinic on the given dates and times. This is very important for the success of the treatment.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like all medicines, Ranibizumab can cause side effects in some people, although not everyone gets them. The table below provides more information.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Things to tell your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Symptoms such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. These can be serious, so report them immediately. |
| Vision changes | Sudden blurring of vision, seeing black spots floating around, or being unable to look at light. These can be signs of an eye infection or increased pressure. |
| Eye pain, redness | Severe pain or redness in the eye a few hours or a day after the vaccination. |
| Other body problems | Although rare, if you experience symptoms such as loss of balance, difficulty speaking, or difficulty walking, it could be a sign of a stroke. Go to the ETU immediately. |
| It's usually not serious, but if it persists, tell your doctor. | |
| Dry or watery eyes | Dry eyes or slight watering may occur after the injection. |
| Headache, body ache | You may experience a slight headache or body ache. |
| Nausea, cold | Some people may experience nausea or a runny nose. |
Are there any problems with other medications? (Interactions)
Yes, some medications can interact with Ranibizumab. For example, a drug called `verteporfin` (also used for eye treatment) can cause problems when used together.
Therefore, it is very important to tell your eye doctor about all the medications you are taking, including those prescribed by other doctors, those you buy from the pharmacy, vitamins, traditional medicines, herbal products, or even supplements . Also, tell your eye doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
You should have your eyes checked regularly during treatment. Be sure to go to your doctor's follow-up appointments. If your symptoms don't improve or seem to be getting worse, tell your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Ranibizumab is a special injection that is given to protect your vision and control retinal diseases. It does not completely cure the disease.
- This vaccine is given by a specialist ophthalmologist in a hospital or clinic, so don't worry about it.
- Before treatment, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- If you experience severe eye pain, redness, or a significant change in vision after the vaccine is given, notify your doctor immediately.
- Always go for follow-up appointments as scheduled by your doctor. It is very important to protect your vision.
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