IVOM procedure: A safe and painful process in our practice

IVOM is the medical term for the injection of a drug into the inside of the eye, better known as an „eye injection“. Although the idea is initially associated with concern for many patients, it is one of the safest and most frequently performed procedures in modern ophthalmology. At our ophthalmology practice in Frankfurt Westend, we have made the process of IVOM implementation The treatment is perfected according to the 5-S method developed by Dr. Mareen Schmidt in order to guarantee you the safest, gentlest and, above all, least painful treatment possible.

What exactly happens during the IVOM procedure?

With the IVOM implementation a highly effective medication is injected directly into the vitreous body, the gel-like substance inside the eyeball, using a wafer-thin needle. This minimally invasive procedure is necessary to treat diseases of the retina and macula, such as wet AMD or diabetic macular edema, directly at the site of the disease. The aim is to stop pathological processes such as the growth of leaky blood vessels or inflammatory reactions, to „dry out“ the retina and thus maintain or improve your vision. The IVOM implementation is a highly precise and effective method that represents a revolution in ophthalmology.

IVOM performed according to our 5-S method: your guarantee for safety and comfort

Each IVOM implementation in our practice follows the strict principles of our 5-S method. It is our promise to you that your well-being and safety are our top priority and that every step of the process is of the highest quality.

• Safe: The IVOM implementation is carried out by Dr. Mareen Schmidt, an experienced retina specialist. We only use approved, tested medication and adhere to the highest medical standards.
• Gentle: The procedure is carried out with the utmost calm, precision and sensitivity. We create a relaxed atmosphere to make the procedure as stress-free as possible for you.
• Low pain: Thanks to intensive, multi-stage local anesthesia with highly effective eye drops, the IVOM implementation not painful.
• Sterile: Uncompromising hygiene is essential during eye surgery. The IVOM implementation takes place under the strictest sterile conditions, which correspond to those of an operating theater, in order to reduce the risk of infection to an absolute minimum.
• Carefully: Every step is planned and monitored with the utmost care, from comprehensive information before the procedure to precise execution and close aftercare.

The procedure for your IVOM procedure: explained step by step

We want you to know exactly what to expect. The IVOM implementation is a short, outpatient procedure that takes place at our nearby, state-of-the-art surgical facility at Westend Medical Center.

1. Preparation & conversation: We will answer any final questions in a calm atmosphere. Your eye is then prepared by administering anesthetic eye drops several times.
2. Intensive anesthesia: We give the drops enough time to develop their full, pain-relieving effect until the surface of the eye is completely insensitive.
3. Disinfection & sterile draping: To ensure maximum hygiene, the eye and the surrounding skin area are carefully disinfected. You will receive a sterile drape.
4. Gentle eyelid closure: A small, gentle clamp (eyelid retractor) is used to hold the eye open during the short procedure. This prevents involuntary blinking and provides additional safety during the procedure. IVOM implementation.
5. The actual injection: Dr. Mareen Schmidt then carries out the injection with a wafer-thin needle into the white of the eye. This step only takes one to two seconds.
6. Final check & care: Immediately after the injection, the eye is rinsed and the eye pressure is checked. Further aftercare then takes place in our practice.

IVOM procedure: preparation and behavior afterwards

Good preparation and the right aftercare are crucial for a safe and successful treatment. IVOM implementation. We provide you with clear and understandable instructions.

The role of experience in IVOM implementation

The safety and comfort of a IVOM implementation depend crucially on the routine and steady hand of the surgeon. As a retina specialist, Dr. Mareen Schmidt has performed countless of these procedures. Her extensive experience not only ensures the technical perfection of the procedure, but also creates an atmosphere of trust that plays a decisive role in making the process anxiety-free and positive for you as a patient. This expertise is the core of our 5-S method and the reason for the high level of patient satisfaction.

Frequently asked questions about IVOM implementation

Here you will find answers to common questions that patients ask us about the IVOM implementation in our Frankfurt practice.

Is the IVOM procedure painful?

No, the IVOM implementation is not painful thanks to our low-pain 5-S method. Due to the intensive local anesthesia of the eye surface, you will not feel the puncture itself, at most a brief, slight feeling of pressure. Our entire team specializes in providing you with an anxiety-free and comfortable treatment. IVOM implementation which is one of our top priorities.

How long does the actual injection take?

While the entire appointment, including preparation and follow-up checks, takes about an hour, the crucial moment, the actual injection of the IVOM implementation, only one to two seconds. Many of our patients are surprised at how quick and uncomplicated the procedure itself is. This short duration contributes significantly to the good tolerability of the treatment.

Do I have to watch the syringe come?

No, we can take that worry away from you. We will guide you to keep your eyes on the IVOM implementation to a fixed point away from the syringe. The injection is made from the side, out of your central field of vision. This simple trick is an important component in making the process as psychologically stress-free as possible for you.

What happens if I blink during the IVOM procedure?

You don't need to be afraid of this. A small, gentle eyelid clamp, also known as an eyelid retractor, holds your eye open securely during the short procedure. Involuntary blinking during the IVOM implementation is therefore excluded. This ensures your safety and allows you to relax without having to concentrate on keeping your eyes open.

Why are sterile conditions so important?

Maintaining the strictest sterility is the most important step in preventing the rarest but most serious complication of a IVOM implementation infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis). Our uncompromising hygiene standards, which are equivalent to those of an operating theater, are therefore not an option, but an absolute necessity for the safety of your eyes.

How does the eye feel after the IVOM procedure?

After the anesthetic wears off, a slight foreign body sensation, as if a grain of sand were in the eye, is completely normal for a few hours. This is due to the small puncture site and the disinfection. However, real pain is an absolute exception. This temporary sensation, which occurs after a IVOM implementation usually improves quickly on its own.

Who carries out the IVOM for you?

Each individual IVOM implementation is performed personally by Dr. Mareen Schmidt. We do not delegate this important procedure. This personal performance by our experienced retina specialist guarantees maximum continuity, quality and safety for you as a patient.

What is the difference in the implementation of different medications?

For you as a patient, the process of IVOM implementation is identical for most liquid medications. With a cortisone implant such as Ozurdex®, the needle is slightly thicker, but again, our careful anesthesia ensures a painless experience. The technical process of IVOM implementation remains essentially the same, only the substance differs.

How often must this procedure be repeated?

The IVOM implementation is part of a long-term therapy. Monthly injections are often necessary at the beginning. As soon as your condition stabilizes, the intervals are extended individually. The aim is to control the disease in the long term with as few treatments as possible, but as many as necessary.

What makes IVOM particularly safe in your practice?

The safety of the IVOM implementation in our practice is based on a combination of several factors: Dr. Mareen Schmidt's extensive experience as a retina specialist, the consistent application of our 5-S method, uncompromising hygiene standards and careful aftercare, in which we pay attention to every detail to protect your health.

Rely on a secure and proven process

The IVOM implementation is a state-of-the-art and safe routine treatment that can protect your eyesight. At Dr. med. Mareen Schmidt's practice in Frankfurt, we guarantee a procedure that is designed with your safety and comfort in mind. If you require IVOM therapy, please make an appointment for a comprehensive and personal consultation where we will answer all your questions in peace and quiet.