IVOM therapy duration: An easy-to-understand guide for your treatment planning

IVOM therapy duration is one of the most central and understandable questions for patients faced with the need for an eye injection. The prospect of potentially long-term treatment understandably raises concerns. At our ophthalmology practice in Frankfurt Westend, under the direction of Dr. med. Mareen Schmidt, it is particularly important to us to explain to you transparently, honestly and at eye level what you can expect. We want to show you that the IVOM therapy Duration is not a rigid scheme, but a highly individualized and flexible process that we design together with you.

Understanding the duration of IVOM therapy: Why is long-term treatment often necessary?

The diseases that require IVOM therapy - such as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic macular oedema - are chronic in nature. They can be compared to other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. The drugs that we inject into the eye can suppress the pathological processes (such as the growth of leaky blood vessels) very effectively for a certain period of time, but they do not cure the underlying predisposition. If the effect of the medication wears off, the disease can become active again. The IVOM therapy Duration is therefore in most cases a long-term management strategy with the aim of keeping the disease permanently in an inactive, „dry“ state and thus protecting your vision.

The phases of IVOM therapy and their respective durations

The IVOM therapy Duration is not a monolithic block, but is divided into different phases with different goals and treatment intervals. This step-by-step approach enables highly individualized treatment.

1. the saturation phase:

At the beginning of treatment, the aim is to suppress the disease activity quickly and effectively and to remove the fluid stored in the retina as quickly as possible. In this phase, often referred to as the „loading dose“, the treatment intervals are the shortest. Typically, you will receive the first three injections at fixed monthly intervals.

2. the maintenance phase and the „Treat and Extend“ scheme:

As soon as the retina is „dry“, the maintenance phase begins. The aim here is to maintain this stable state with as few injections as possible. We use the modern „Treat and Extend“ (T&E) scheme for this. This means that at your follow-up appointment, you will receive a treatment regimen with three consecutive injections at a fixed interval, e.g. three times every 4 weeks. At the subsequent check-up, the interval is adjusted to the condition of the eye and, if necessary, gradually extended at the next appointment (e.g. from 6 to 8 weeks, then to 10 weeks, etc.). This is how your individual maximum IVOM therapy duration between injections is determined.

3. the pause phase:

In some patients, the disease can go into an inactive phase after a longer period of treatment. In such cases, a break in treatment can be taken in close consultation with you. However, this does not mean the end of treatment, but requires regular check-ups in order to detect a flare-up of the disease at an early stage.

The phases of IVOM treatment at a glance

Phase	Typical duration of the intervals	Aim of the phase in IVOM therapy
Saturation phase	Monthly (for the first 3 injections)	Rapid „draining“ of the macula, achieving maximum disease control.
Maintenance phase (T&E)	Individually, e.g. every 6-16 weeks	Keep the disease permanently inactive with as few injections as possible.
Pause phase	No injections, only close monitoring	Monitoring in a stable, inactive phase of the disease in order to be able to react quickly if necessary.

IVOM therapy duration for various diseases

The expected IVOM therapy Duration also depends on the underlying disease.

• Moist AMD: As this is a chronic, progressive disease, in most cases lifelong monitoring and often very long-term treatment is necessary to maintain vision.
• Diabetic macular edema: The IVOM therapy Duration is closely linked to the control of blood sugar and blood pressure. Excellent metabolic control can have a positive influence on the necessity and frequency of injections.
• Macular edema after vein occlusion: Here the prognosis can be more variable. In some cases, the situation can stabilize after an initial treatment phase, so that the IVOM therapy Duration may be limited. However, this is not the rule.

The IVOM therapy duration itself has a positive influence

Even if you cannot cure the underlying disease, you have a decisive influence on the success and the IVOM therapy Duration. Your active cooperation is the key to success.

• Adherence to therapy: The most important factor is consistent adherence to the agreed check-up and treatment appointments. Every missed or arbitrarily postponed injection gives the disease the chance to become active again and cause lasting damage.
• Self-control: Check your vision regularly with an Amsler grid. If you notice any new distortions, contact us immediately, even before your next regular appointment.
• Management of concomitant diseases: Good blood pressure and blood sugar control is essential for diabetes and venous occlusion.
• Healthy lifestyle: Stopping smoking and eating an eye-healthy diet can also support the health of your macula.

Frequently asked questions about IVOM therapy Duration

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

Do I really have to have the eye injections all my life?

Chronic diseases such as wet AMD require lifelong monitoring and often very long-term treatment to keep the disease in check. The good news is that the IVOM therapy Duration between injections can often be significantly extended using modern medication and treatment strategies, which reduces the burden on you.

How long does a single appointment for IVOM therapy take?

Although the injection itself only takes a few seconds, you should allow about an hour for the entire appointment, including preparation, anesthesia, procedure and brief follow-up. This meticulous approach is part of our 5-S method and is designed for your safety and comfort, regardless of the overall duration of the procedure. IVOM therapy Duration.

What happens if I miss or postpone an appointment?

A missed appointment can be dangerous, as the effect of the medication wears off and the disease can become active again. This can lead to renewed vision loss, which may no longer be fully reversible. Keeping the appointments is the most important factor for a successful IVOM therapy Duration.

Is it possible to take a break from IVOM therapy, for example for a vacation?

Yes, a planned break is possible in consultation with us. If your illness is stable, we can schedule the next appointment to fit in with your vacation plans. It is important that this is always done in consultation and not arbitrarily, so as not to take any risks and to ensure the IVOM therapy Duration not to jeopardize the future.

Does IVOM therapy duration change with newer drugs?

Yes, this is one of the main goals of current research. Newer drugs have the potential to maintain the effect in the eye for longer. This can lead to the IVOM therapy Duration between injections can be extended to up to four months or even longer, which is a considerable relief.

Does the long duration of IVOM therapy have negative effects on my eye?

IVOM therapy has proven to be a very safe procedure over many years. The most common side effects are related to the procedure and are not dependent on the medication itself. With a very long IVOM therapy Duration In some cases, cataracts may develop more quickly or the eye pressure may rise slightly. Both are closely monitored by us and are easily treatable.

How is it decided whether the interval can be extended?

We make this decision at every appointment on the basis of a high-resolution tomographic image of your retina (OCT). As long as the macula is completely „dry“ in the OCT, i.e. free of fluid, we can make the IVOM therapy Duration Gradually extend the interval to the next appointment. If fluid occurs again, the interval is shortened.

What exactly does the „Treat and Extend“ scheme mean?

„Treat and Extend“ (T&E) is the modern, individualized treatment strategy that we use. Depending on your findings, we always schedule three injections at recurring intervals. For example, three times every four weeks. We then carry out a check-up at our clinic and review the treatment results with you. In this way, we determine the longest possible IVOM therapy Duration between syringes.

How long does the initial „saturation phase“ last?

The saturation phase, in which the disease is to be brought under control, usually consists of the first three injections. These are administered at monthly intervals. The entire saturation phase of the IVOM therapy therefore has a Duration of around two months before moving on to the maintenance phase.

Is there a chance that I won't need any more injections at some point?

Yes, there is a chance. In some patients, after a long, stable phase, the disease can go into a „scarred“ or inactive state in which no further treatment is necessary. The aim of the entire IVOM therapy Duration is to achieve this stable final state with the best possible vision.

A path we walk together

The IVOM therapy Duration is a long-term commitment that you do not have to make alone. At Dr. Mareen Schmidt's practice, we see ourselves as your reliable partner on this journey. With our expertise, careful methodology and open communication, we will make your treatment as safe and as comfortable as possible. Make an appointment for a comprehensive consultation to discuss your personal treatment plan.