A common intravitreal injection at surgery center facility in U.S. includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Provider fee to inject drug into eye
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$126 |
Facility |
Surgery center fee to inject drug into eye
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$71 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$202 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
29 |
$58 |
Total average cash price |
|
A common intravitreal injection at outpatient hospital facility in U.S. includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Provider fee to inject drug into eye
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$126 |
Facility |
Outpatient Hospital fee to inject drug into eye
level 4
Standard
|
1 |
$387 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$202 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
29 |
$58 |
Total average cash price |
|
An intravitreal injection is a medical procedure where a healthcare provider injects medication directly into the cavity in the back of your eye. The small space is called the vitreous cavity and is usually filled with a jelly-like fluid called the vitreous humor. Due to the delicate location and distance from the surface of your eye, a trained retina specialist should perform the procedure.
Chronic medical conditions like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are commonly treated with intravitreal injections. Retinal vein occlusion and uveitis are sudden medical conditions that might need to be treated with an intravitreal injection. Without personal health insurance, you may have to pay for intravitreal injections out of pocket.
Other rare problems that affect the retina may also require treatment via an intravitreal injection. Antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals can be given by intravitreal injection for localized eye infections.
The frequency of intravitreal injections depends on the condition being treated. For chronic conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, intravitreal injections are given every month until your doctor sees that treatment has resolved enough of your disease symptoms. Then, injections can be given less frequently, with 12 weeks being the longest interval between injections.
For infections and other short-term medical conditions of the eye, your doctor will follow up with you a few weeks after the injection. If everything has healed appropriately, then no more intravitreal injections are necessary.
After your intravitreal injection, there are very few restrictions. Your eye is at increased risk of infection right after your procedure, so you should avoid activities that could introduce contaminants to your eye.
You might feel some eye irritation or like something is stuck in your eye. This is a side-effect of the cleaning solution used during the procedure. Artificial tears can ease some of this discomfort.
Intravitreal injections start working right away. For some conditions, like infections or inflammation, you may notice an improvement in your symptoms in a few hours. However, it may take 7-10 days to experience the maximum benefits of the medication.
Chronic conditions treated with intravitreal injections will take longer to see results. After four weeks, you may notice some changes. However, it may take up to 6 months before the medication reaches its maximum effect.
It’s not recommended to drive after intravitreal injection. The eye receiving the injection will need to be dilated and numbed for the procedure. This can cause blurry vision for up to 6 hours after treatment. Before your intravitreal injection, plan to have someone available to drive you home or check if your health insurance provides transportation assistance.
Yes, intravitreal injections can improve vision. For chronic conditions like age-related macular degeneration, treatment with intravitreal medications slows the progression of the disease and can even reverse some of the effects. However, the extent of results is different for everyone, and only your doctor can discuss what results to expect from treatment.
About the intravitreal injection Average Cash Prices
This procedure is most commonly performed at either a surgery center or an outpatient hospital.
Surgery centers, also known as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), are independent, licensed medical
facilities that are governed by distinct regulatory requirements compared with a hospital. Procedures
performed at an ASCs are often less expensive than when they are performed at an outpatient hospital,
but they typically offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full-range of support
services that a hospital provides.
Outpatient facilities are outpatient departments or clinics that may be within or next to a hospital,
but is owned and run by the affiliated hospital. These facilities can perform surgical treatments and
procedures that do not require an overnight stay. Procedures performed at an outpatient hospital are
often more expensive than when they are performed in an ambulatory surgery center, but outpatient
hospitals may offer more complimentary and support services for patients because they are connected to
the hospital system.
