Which is a common contraindication to intravitreal injections?

Which is a common contraindication to intravitreal injections?

• A. Controlled Hypertension
• B. Active Ocular Infection
• C. Recent Cataract Surgery
• D. Mild Myopia

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is when intravitreal injections are not appropriate. An active infection inside the eye is a contraindication because injecting through an infected eye can push pathogens into the vitreous, greatly increasing the risk of endophthalmitis, a serious and vision-threatening complication. Treating the infection first and delaying the injection protects the eye from spreading infection and gives the patient a better chance for a good outcome. Other scenarios listed don’t pose the same immediate risk. Controlled hypertension doesn’t by itself prevent performing a localized eye injection, since the procedure is confined to the eye and can be done with appropriate monitoring. Recent cataract surgery is typically not a contraindication, provided healing is underway and there’s no active infection. Mild myopia doesn’t prevent delivery of the injection either, as refractive status doesn’t raise the same intraocular infection risk.

The main idea here is when intravitreal injections are not appropriate. An active infection inside the eye is a contraindication because injecting through an infected eye can push pathogens into the vitreous, greatly increasing the risk of endophthalmitis, a serious and vision-threatening complication. Treating the infection first and delaying the injection protects the eye from spreading infection and gives the patient a better chance for a good outcome.

Other scenarios listed don’t pose the same immediate risk. Controlled hypertension doesn’t by itself prevent performing a localized eye injection, since the procedure is confined to the eye and can be done with appropriate monitoring. Recent cataract surgery is typically not a contraindication, provided healing is underway and there’s no active infection. Mild myopia doesn’t prevent delivery of the injection either, as refractive status doesn’t raise the same intraocular infection risk.