NHS Patients
How to access CES Medical NHS Services
To access CES Medical, please ask your Optician to refer you using REGO or your GP using ERS.
NHS appointments cannot be booked online.
Private Patients
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Private Retinal Treatment
Intravitreal injections are a well-established, effective treatment for a range of retinal conditions. At CES Medical, our consultant ophthalmologists deliver personalised injection therapy in a calm, dedicated clinical environment - helping to protect and preserve your vision.
Ongoing personalised care plans
Quick outpatient procedure
Consultant-led care throughout
01
The retina is the thin layer of light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of your eye. It plays an essential role in vision by converting light into signals that travel to the brain. When the retina is affected by disease, fluid can leak from abnormal or damaged blood vessels, causing swelling and distortion that gradually impairs your sight.
Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the macula - the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision. These vessels are fragile and prone to leaking fluid or blood, which can cause rapid changes to your central vision. Symptoms may include distorted or wavy lines, difficulty reading, and a dark or blurred patch in the centre of your sight.
Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina over time, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. When fluid leaks into the macula as a result, it causes swelling known as diabetic macular oedema. This can lead to blurred or fluctuating central vision and difficulty with everyday tasks such as reading or recognising faces.
A retinal vein occlusion occurs when one of the veins carrying blood away from the retina becomes blocked, usually by a blood clot. This causes blood and fluid to leak into the retina, leading to swelling, blurred vision, and sometimes sudden loss of sight in the affected eye.
In patients with high myopia (severe short-sightedness), abnormal blood vessels can develop beneath the retina. These vessels may leak fluid, causing distortion and a decline in central vision.
02
An intravitreal injection is a procedure in which medication is delivered directly into the vitreous - the gel-like substance that fills the inside of your eye. By placing the medication precisely where it is needed, intravitreal injections can effectively reduce swelling, stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels, and help to stabilise or improve your vision.
The procedure itself is quick, typically taking only a few minutes, and is carried out under local anaesthetic in our clinic. While the idea of an injection into the eye can understandably feel daunting, the vast majority of patients find the experience far more comfortable than they expected.
The most commonly used intravitreal medications are known as anti-VEGF agents. VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is a protein that your body produces naturally to help grow new blood vessels. In certain retinal conditions, however, the body produces too much VEGF, which causes abnormal, fragile blood vessels to form and leak fluid into the retina.
Anti-VEGF injections work by blocking this protein, which helps to reduce the growth of abnormal vessels, decrease fluid leakage, and allow the retina to recover. In some patients, steroid-based injections or implants may also be used to reduce inflammation and swelling within the eye. Your consultant will discuss which medication is most appropriate for your condition and individual circumstances.
Procedure type
Outpatient injection - no admission required
Duration
A few minutes per injection
Anaesthesia
Topical anaesthetic eye drops (numbing drops)
Pain level
Generally well tolerated; brief pressure sensation
Incisions
None - the needle is very fine
Treatment course
Usually a series of injections over weeks or months
Time in clinic
Approximately 1-2 hours (including preparation)
Recovery
Most patients resume normal activities the same day
Duration
5 mins
Anaesthetic
Local (Drops)
Initial Recovery
24 hours
03
From your initial consultation through to your ongoing care, here is what to expect at each stage of your intravitreal injection treatment at CES Medical.
What happens: a full retinal assessment including an OCT scan to confirm the diagnosis, baseline photographs of your retina, a discussion of your treatment plan and injection schedule, consent, and visual acuity measurement in both eyes.
What to tell us: all current medications, especially blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, aspirin); any allergies, especially to iodine or antiseptic solutions; any current eye infections or inflammation; if you are on immunosuppressant medication; any previous eye surgery or injections.
What to bring: your appointment letter, an up-to-date list of all your medications, your current glasses, and a responsible adult to drive you home.
Before every appointment: arrange transport as you must not drive on the day (dilating drops); you can eat and drink normally; bring your medication list to every visit; allow approximately 1.5 to 2 hours per appointment; do not wear eye makeup on the day.
1. Arrival and preparation: your vision and eye pressure are checked. Dilating and anaesthetic drops are placed in your eye.
2. Cleaning and preparation: the eye and surrounding area are cleaned with povidone-iodine antiseptic. A small clip holds the eye open.
3. The injection: the injection takes only a few seconds. You will feel pressure but not pain. You may see a large floater or dark shadow, which is the medication and is completely normal.
4. After the injection: eye pressure is checked. You rest briefly before discharge. Do not drive; arrange an escort home.
Time required: the injection itself takes seconds; please allow 1.5 to 2 hours for your visit. You must not drive yourself home.
Missing appointments, even when your vision feels stable, risks permanent, irreversible vision loss.
Immediately after: rest at home for the remainder of the day; use prescribed antibiotic drops as directed; wear sunglasses outdoors as light sensitivity is expected; do not rub or press on the injected eye; do not allow water into the eye for 48 hours.
The golden rules: use antibiotic drops exactly as prescribed; test each eye on an Amsler grid every day; attend every scheduled injection appointment; do not rub the injected eye; no water in the eye for 48 hours; no swimming for one week; do not miss appointments even if vision feels stable.
Amsler grid daily monitoring: wear reading glasses if you use them; cover one eye completely; hold the grid at normal reading distance; look directly at the central dot; note any wavy, blurred or missing lines; repeat with the other eye; if there is any new change, call us immediately, the same day.
Treatment timeline: Injections 1 to 3 are a monthly loading phase, given regardless of response to build therapeutic levels in the eye. After loading, an OCT scan at each visit determines your next interval, which is extended if the retina is dry and stable. Ongoing, most patients require indefinite treatment, typically every 6 to 12 weeks, with the goal of maintaining dryness on the minimum number of injections. Between visits, test each eye with an Amsler grid daily and call immediately if new distortion appears.
Restrictions: no swimming for one week after each injection; no driving on injection day (dilating drops affect vision for 4 to 6 hours); do not miss appointments even if vision feels stable; no rubbing the eye, especially in the first 48 hours; resume reading and screens from the following day.
Call 01732 756789 immediately if you have: a sudden significant decrease in vision; severe, deep eye pain (not grittiness); a curtain, shadow or veil in vision; new floaters, especially with flashes; increasing redness and discharge; or nausea with eye pain.
Contact us within 24 hours for: gradual redness not settling after 3 to 4 days; vision that was improving now deteriorating; new distortion on your Amsler grid; or concerns about your eye drops.
Normal and expected: mild grittiness in the first 1 to 2 days; a watery eye on the day of injection; a red patch on the white of the eye that resolves in 1 to 2 weeks; a large floater immediately after injection that disperses within hours; mild light sensitivity on the day.
Understanding the sensory experience of an intravitreal injection can help ease any concerns. Here is what patients commonly report.
Anaesthetic Drops: Eye drops numb the surface of your eye. These may feel cold and can make your eye feel slightly heavy or thick.
Antiseptic Preparation: An iodine-based solution is applied to sterilise the area. This can sometimes cause a brief tingling sensation.
Eyelid Speculum: A small device holds your eye open gently. You may be aware of mild pressure, but this should not be painful.
Feeling Anxious: It is very common to feel nervous, especially if it is your first injection. Our team will talk you through each step.
You may feel a brief sensation of pressure or a momentary sting as the injection is given, but this passes very quickly.
You will not be able to see the needle approaching your eye at any point. The injection itself takes only a few seconds.
The needle is inserted into the white part of the eye. Most patients describe the experience as far more comfortable than they anticipated.
Mild irritation or a gritty, foreign-body sensation in your eye is common and usually settles within a day.
Watering and mild redness are normal. Some patients see small floaters or bubbles - these are harmless and typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours.
Mild soreness around the eye is also normal and should ease quickly.
Please get in touch with us immediately if you experience any sharp pain, a significant increase in floaters, flashing lights, a shadow or curtain across your vision, or any signs of infection such as increasing redness, swelling, or discharge.
05
We understand that the idea of an injection into the eye can feel daunting. Here are answers to some of the questions our patients most commonly ask about intravitreal injection treatment.
The eye is numbed before treatment, and most patients feel only brief pressure or a short sting rather than significant pain.
The injection itself takes only a few seconds, but your full appointment will be longer to allow for preparation, checks, and aftercare advice.
The number of injections depends on your retinal condition and how your eye responds. Your consultant will explain the expected treatment schedule for you.
You should plan not to drive immediately after your injection because your vision may be blurred for a short time after treatment.
Your consultant will advise you if any drops are needed after treatment, based on your eye and the procedure performed.
Common short-term effects include a small blood spot on the white of the eye, grittiness for 24 to 48 hours, and temporary floaters. Serious complications, including severe infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis) and retinal detachment, are rare.
Some patients do need treatment in both eyes. Your consultant will decide the safest and most appropriate plan for your condition.
If you miss an injection appointment, contact CES Medical as soon as possible so your treatment can be reviewed and rescheduled promptly.
Private intravitreal injection treatment does not usually require a GP referral, although CES Medical can advise on the right route for your circumstances.
The effect of each injection varies by medicine and retinal condition, which is why repeat treatment and monitoring are often needed.
If you have been diagnosed with a retinal condition, or if you are experiencing changes to your central vision, our consultant ophthalmologists are here to help. Contact us today to book your private consultation and take the first step towards preserving your sight.
CES Medical - Chatham
Kent
CES Medical - Headcorn
Kent
CES Medical - Tunbridge Wells
Kent
Ongoing personalised care plans
Quick outpatient procedure
Consultant-led care throughout
View our Private Cataract Surgery page