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IVOM therapy with Sanoculus

Intravitreal injections for the treatment of AMD

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The abbreviation IVOM stands for intravitreal surgical drug administration and is an important form of treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Here, the drug is injected directly into the vitreous cavity of the eye. Doctors distinguish between dry and wet macular degeneration. While dry AMD is slow,

the wet variant leads to rapid deterioration of vision due to uncontrolled growth of “immature” blood vessels. IVOM therapy can reliably suppress vascular growth. At Sanoculus , IVOM treatment is carried out by experienced doctors who attach great importance to transparent doctor-patient communication.

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Sanoculus Ophthalmologists in Berlin

Modern practice rooms for IVOM therapy

In our well-equipped Sanoculus Eye Centers at Elsterplatz and in Spandau , specialists carry out AMD diagnostics and IVOM therapy using the latest scientific findings . For the diagnosis of macular diseases, state-of-the-art equipment is used, with which we can detect changes in the center of the retina at an early stage.

In the ophthalmological diagnosis of diseases of the macula, a thorough anamnesis is the first priority. There is a comprehensive consultation about the treatment options for macular degeneration. As part of IVOM therapy, the medication is injected directly into the vitreous cavity of the eye at monthly intervals during the first three months until vision stabilises again. After that, the intervals between the injections are variable until you can do without the injections altogether. We will be happy to advise you individually on the best possible treatment methods for you.

“I’ve had these injections in three different clinics and this is where it was best.”

“I have been injected here regularly for a long time and feel well cared for and have great confidence in Dr. Jerrentrup and his team.”

Prevention & Early Detection:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Our ophthalmologists recommend that patients aged 60 and over come to our Sanoculus Eye Center once a year for a check-up for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Currently, special preventive examinations in Germany unfortunately still have to be paid for by the patient. However, the earlier the treatment begins, the better the prospects of good vision preservation through our IVOM therapy in Berlin.

You can also prevent the eye disease by avoiding factors that promote AMD. It has been found that smokers are not only three times more likely to develop AMD, but also an average of ten years earlier than non-smokers. In the meantime, obesity is also suspected of promoting macular degeneration. A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise can prevent early AMD.

Frequently asked questions about IVOM therapy

Since IVOM therapy allows effective drugs to reach the back of the eye, the form of treatment is suitable for people with diseases of the inside of the eye. In addition to age-related macular degeneration , other pathological changes in the eye, such as diabetic macular disease, vascular occlusion (thrombosis) or inflammation inside the eye, can also be treated with intravitreal injections.

No, the fear of pain in the eye is unfounded, because intravitreal injections usually take place under local anesthesia . Even after IVOM treatment, there is usually no pain . Red eyes and swelling can be consequences of the therapy, but they do not have to be.

The goal of intravitreal injection is to stabilize and stop the steady progression of the disease – in the best case, even to improve vision. If wet macular degeneration remains untreated, the patient must expect a rapid decline in visual acuity. The injections counteract the vascular proliferation on the macula. At the same time, bleeding and fluid retention should recede. In many patients, we can see an improvement in the following areas:

  • Increase in visual acuity
  • Reduction of distorted vision
  • Clearing up the central spot

Important note: In the long term, some nerve cells may be impaired. Patients should be aware that slight visual impairment can occur even after successful treatment.

IVOM therapy is carried out under sterile conditions in the operating room . You’ll be given eye drops to dilate the pupil and numb the eye – a cloth covers your face to keep germs out. The eyelid is kept open by an eyelid holder so that you can relax during the injection. The ophthalmologist then injects the drug into the vitreous humor with a fine cannula. Most patients feel nothing or only gentle pressure. After that, the eye will be treated with an anti-inflammatory ointment and you can go home. Due to the pupil dilation and the eye ointment, vision will initially be blurred and sensitivity to light will increase. We recommend wearing sunglasses and bringing them with you to the treatment. You are not allowed to drive afterwards. You will receive our emergency number in case you notice deterioration in vision, pain or redness in the days following the injection.

In IVOM therapy, we start with 3 injections 4 weeks apart. In the first year of treatment, 7-9 injections are usually recommended. Since everyone is different, the frequency of treatment and the intervals between injections can vary. Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for AMD because it is a chronic eye disease. Depending on the personal findings, treatments may be necessary for several years.

As with any other surgical procedure, problems can arise during the standardized routine procedure . As a result of the anesthesia and disinfection, temporary irritation and pain may occur on the surface of the eye. Furthermore, small bleeding can occur in the conjunctiva. Although these are visually disturbing, they help with wound healing, which is why they are not necessarily considered negative. In the longer course of therapy and immediately after treatment, intraocular pressure can increase. It is therefore essential to check it regularly. In order to detect such complications at an early stage, we carry out ophthalmological check-ups two to five days after IVOM treatment in our Sanoculus Eye Center .

You do not have to ask yourself the question of costs, because the statutory health insurance companies pay for all medical IVOM injections as well as for the check-up appointments and standard procedures in diagnostics. Special procedures such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) have to be paid for in some cases.

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For medical colleagues:

Patient referral for eye operations

Patientin beim Augenarzt am Empfang

Are you looking for specialists for eye surgery in Berlin for your patients? If you would like to refer your patient to us, please register them for our consultation hours. Please include any previous findings (hospital letters, old FLAs or OCTs etc.) directly.
This way we can avoid unnecessary duplicate examinations.

Telephone agreement under:

(030) 403 660 301

OP-Center Sanoculus Elsterplatz Kissinger Str. 1 14199 Berlin

OP-Center Sanoculus Spandau Wilhelmstr.
23a 13593 Berlin

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Ophthalmology Practice Sanoculus Kurfürstendamm Kurfürstendamm 115B 10711 Berlin

Sanoculus Haselhorst ophthalmology practice Burscheider Weg 11G 13599 Berlin

Sanoculus Steglitz ophthalmology practice Albrechtstr.
99 12167 Berlin

Sanoculus Rudow ophthalmology practice Köpenicker Str. 184 12355 Berlin