Intravitreal Injections

Man’s invasion into the sacred inner space of the eyethe vitreous cavity began around the same time he was attempting to invade the outer space i.e. in the 1950s. Von Sallman in1944 demonstrated the efficacy of Intravitreal antibiotics in a study in which he successfully cured endophthalmitis in rabbits by Intravitreal Penicillin injection. And thus began the era of Intravitreal antibiotics. First (1955-1975) it was just antibiotics and steroids mainly for the treatment of Endophthalmitis. Further experience with Intravitreal injections was gained through the use of pneumatic retinopexy. Intravitreal ganciclovir and foscarnet injections were utilized in the early 1990s for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. The approval of Pegaptanib sodium, and Ranibizumab (for treating age-related macular degeneration, ongoing studies using these agents in diabetic macular edema, as well as the widespread off-label use of triamcinolone acetonide and bevacizumab (Avastin) for a variety of conditions, are all refocusing interest in Intravitreal injection as a method of drug delivery.