What Is a Subtenon Injection?

A subtenon injection is a procedure used to administer drugs into your eye when necessary. The subtenon is the space that lies between the tenon capsule and the sclera. The tenon capsule is a thin membrane that envelops your eyeball and forms the socket in which your eye revolves. The sclera refers to the white of your eye, which protects the outer layer of your eye. The white of the eye is opaque, fibrous and made up of collagen and elastic material.

Eye doctors who want to administer drugs or anesthesia use this method as an alternative to sharp needle techniques. Only a highly qualified eye specialist can use this leading-edge ocular route of drug administration. The procedure requires specialized training and experience for safety and effectiveness.

Subtenon injections are among the most effective in-office procedures your eye doctor uses for treatment of various eye conditions. The advanced procedure is safe when performed by the top-notch ophthalmologists at Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (VRMNY). These highly experienced eye specialists provide a wide range of treatment techniques that range from medications to laser surgeries and other surgical procedures to ensure optimal eye health for you and your family.

What Are the Types of Subtenon Injections?

Since introducing subtenon injections in the 1990s, eye specialists now use the procedure to treat a wide range of eye conditions. The procedure has evolved and now includes:

• Subtenon steroid injection. A subtenon Kenalog injection is one of the more common steroid injections in the eye. Kenalog is a steroid that reduces swelling and inflammation inside your eye. A posterior subtenon injection of Kenalog lasts two to three months, which offers relief from eye discomfort.
• Subconjuctival lidocaine. This procedure prevents complications caused by intraocular medicine injections, such as pain and subconjunctival hemorrhage. Subconjunctival lidocaine is the delivery of anesthesia to the injection site. This eye procedure has higher clinical efficiency than other types of injections.

The internationally renowned ophthalmologists and retina specialists at VRMNY use subtenon injections and other advanced eye procedures for safer and more effective treatments. The doctors have earned recognition in their field, owing to their extensive research and publications.

What’s the Advantage of Subtenon Injections?

The focus of research in eye treatment is on reducing risks and complications and increasing efficiency, while protecting and improving vision. A subtenon injection is one such innovative technique. Some advantages of this ocular route of drug administration include:

• Reduced risk of complications. Eye doctors prevent severe complications associated with the use of sharp needles to administer anesthesia and drugs. Such complications include hemorrhaging in the eye orbit, subarachnoid diffusion, perforation of the globe and optic nerve damage. A posterior subtenon injection also reduces the risk of elevated intraocular pressure.
• Protection of the eye. It’s a safer route for administering medication and anesthesia to provide eye treatments and prevent vision loss.
• Improved quality of life. A subtenon steroid injection prevents inflammation and stops eye discomfort. Delivering medication through the subtenon space permits more precision as well.
• Comfort during eye treatment. Administering a subtenon block improves your comfort during eye procedures. Your doctor can opt for an intravitreal injection, such as an intravitreal steroid injection or an intravitreal steroid implant. Comfort levels increase with a subtenon injection of anesthesia before eye surgeries, such as vitrectomy, stye surgery, glaucoma surgery or cataract surgery.

Your NYC eye doctor has access to state-of-the-art equipment for safe and effective eye surgeries. The surgical team has expertise in the most advanced eye treatment. You’re in safe hands at VRMNY.

What Eye Diseases Does a Subtenon Injection Treat?

Eye doctors use subtenon injections to treat a wide range of eye diseases, including:

• Chronic uveitis
• Cystoid macular edema
• Diffuse diabetic macular edema
• Posterior uveitis

With more research into the safety and effectiveness of subtenon injections, the application of this eye procedure continues to expand. The eye doctors at the largest New York City-based eye facility perform extensive research into the latest medical technologies, making VRMNY the leading eye treatment center.

What’s the Procedure for a Subtenon Injection?

A subtenon injection is a complex eye procedure done at your ophthalmologist’s office. Only the most experienced eye doctors perform the procedure. The steps include:

1. Initial consultation and diagnosis. Your eye doctor carries out different tests to identify the condition of your eye. Diagnostic imaging gives your doctor the best view inside your eye to determine the cause of your eye problems. The doctor explains your diagnosis and the procedure steps.
2. Preparation. Your doctor places you in the supine position. Subconjuctival anesthesia prevents discomfort during the procedure. The doctor cleans the anaesthetized eye with povidone iodine. At this stage, an eyelid speculum is put in place to improve access and prevent blinking.
3. Subtenon injection. To expose the inferonasal quadrant, the doctor advises you to look up. Your doctor raises a small part of the conjunctiva and tenon capsule using specialized forceps. To expose the sclera below, your doctor makes an incision into the raised tissue, then inserts a cannula with the syringe containing anesthetic or other medication.
4. The eye procedure has minimal risks and downtime as the medication starts to work.

To enjoy the benefits of a subtenon injection, choose the most qualified eye specialist. The highly qualified eye doctors at VRMNY offer locations in Manhattan, Westchester and Brooklyn. Contact an eye doctor at the facility nearest you today to enjoy the benefits of specialized eye treatment.