What is the aftercare of Ozurdex injections?

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 28% of patients receiving Ozurdex experience increased eye pressure, a major consideration for aftercare. This guide details what is the aftercare of Ozurdex injections? to ensure a smooth recovery, manage common symptoms, and recognize potential complications.

Quick Summary

Proper aftercare for an Ozurdex injection includes using prescribed eye drops, managing temporary symptoms like blurry vision and floaters, and following key activity restrictions. Patients must monitor for increased eye pressure or signs of infection and attend all follow-up appointments.

Key Points

Immediate Rest: Plan for someone to drive you home and rest your eyes for several hours immediately after the injection due to temporary blurry vision.
Use Prescribed Drops: Use antibiotic and lubricating eye drops as directed by your doctor to prevent infection and manage discomfort.
Avoid Eye Rubbing and Water: Do not rub your injected eye and avoid swimming or getting water in the eye for at least a few days to minimize infection risk.
Monitor for Urgent Symptoms: Seek immediate care if you experience increasing eye pain, worsening vision, persistent redness, or discharge, as these could signal serious complications.
Adhere to Follow-Up Schedule: Attend all scheduled appointments to allow your doctor to monitor for complications like increased intraocular pressure and cataracts.

Immediate Post-Injection Care (First 24-48 Hours)

The period immediately following an Ozurdex injection is crucial for preventing complications and managing discomfort. Your ophthalmologist will provide specific instructions tailored to your needs, but several general guidelines apply.

Resting the eye: After the procedure, rest your eyes as much as possible for at least a few hours. While not always necessary, an eye patch may be applied and can typically be removed after a couple of hours.
Use prescribed eye drops: You will be given antibiotic drops to prevent infection, which you should use exactly as instructed, typically for a few days. Lubricating or artificial tear drops can also help soothe any gritty or scratchy sensation.
Wear sunglasses: It is normal to experience temporary light sensitivity (photophobia). Wearing sunglasses outdoors or in brightly lit areas can provide comfort.
Arrange transportation: Due to potential visual blurring, you should not drive or operate heavy machinery immediately after the procedure. Arrange for a ride home.
Common symptoms: Expect some mild discomfort, a red spot (subconjunctival hemorrhage) at the injection site, or a scratchy feeling that should improve overnight. Seeing floaters is also common and typically resolves with time.

Aftercare Restrictions and Guidelines

Following a few key restrictions can significantly reduce the risk of infection and other complications.

Do not rub the injected eye: This is one of the most important rules. Rubbing your eye can introduce bacteria and increase the risk of infection or cause a corneal abrasion.
Avoid water exposure: Stay out of swimming pools and hot tubs for at least a week. Your doctor may also recommend avoiding washing your face or hair for up to 48 hours to minimize contamination.
Limit strenuous activity: Avoid heavy lifting or activities that dramatically increase eye pressure for a few days following the injection.
Resume normal activities cautiously: While most normal activities can be resumed the day after your injection, listen to your body. Do not return to activities that feel uncomfortable or strain your eyes.

Managing Common Side Effects

Some side effects are normal and expected, while others require immediate medical attention. It's important to know the difference.

Expected vs. Urgent Symptoms


Symptom	Expected (Mild)	Urgent (Contact Doctor Immediately)
Discomfort / Pain	Mild irritation, scratchiness, or a gritty feeling that improves over 24-48 hours.	Significant or severe pain that worsens, throbbing pain, or pain that persists for more than a day.
Redness	A red spot or bruise at the injection site (conjunctival hemorrhage), which is normal and typically fades within 1-2 weeks.	Increasing redness in the eye that looks more inflamed, particularly after the first day.
Vision Changes	Temporary blurriness (especially in the first 24 hours) or new floaters, which should decrease over time.	Worsening vision, sudden vision loss, seeing flashes of light, or a curtain or shadow across your vision.
Discharge	Normal tearing.	Sticky discharge, crusting, or any pus-like drainage from the eye.
Other	Mild headache.	Signs of allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing), eyebrow pain, increased sensitivity to light.

When to Contact Your Doctor Immediately

An infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis) or a retinal detachment are serious, albeit rare, complications of any intravitreal injection. You must contact your ophthalmologist immediately if you experience any of the urgent symptoms listed in the table above.

Another significant side effect is an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), which can develop with Ozurdex treatment. Your doctor will monitor your IOP at follow-up visits, but you should report any symptoms of pressure, such as eye or eyebrow pain, to your doctor.

The Recovery Timeline and Follow-Up

Your eye will likely feel much better the day after the injection, with mild irritation subsiding. The visible bruise (red spot) may take up to two weeks to completely resolve. The Ozurdex implant is designed to slowly dissolve over several months, providing a sustained release of medication.

Regular follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring your eye's response to the treatment, checking for side effects like increased IOP, and assessing the need for repeat injections. With repeated treatments, there is an increased risk of cataract formation, which your doctor will discuss with you during your ongoing care.

Conclusion

Aftercare for Ozurdex injections is a manageable but vital component of your treatment plan. By diligently following your doctor's instructions, managing expected symptoms with prescribed drops, and being vigilant for any signs of serious complications, you can ensure the best possible outcome. Always communicate any concerning changes with your ophthalmologist immediately. Regular follow-up visits are crucial for long-term monitoring and maintaining your eye health.

For more detailed product and safety information, please refer to the official Ozurdex Patient Information.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may experience temporary blurred vision for up to 24 hours after an injection, although this varies by patient. You should not drive or use heavy machinery until your vision has returned to normal.

Yes, if you experience mild pain or discomfort, your retinal specialist may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Tylenol. It is also advised to use lubricating eye drops to soothe the eye.

While it's important to rest immediately after the procedure, you can typically resume most normal activities, including showering (with care), the next day. Avoid strenuous exercise, swimming, and makeup for a period advised by your doctor, usually a week.

Signs of a serious eye infection, called endophthalmitis, include increasing eye pain, worsening or blurry vision, significant redness, and discharge from the eye. These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Yes, seeing floaters or a feeling of spots in front of the eye is a common side effect of the injection. This is usually temporary and resolves over time.

Follow-up visits are crucial for monitoring your eye's health, particularly for serious complications like increased intraocular pressure and retinal detachment. These visits allow your doctor to manage any potential side effects effectively.

Repeated treatments with Ozurdex may increase the risk of developing cataracts. Your vision may decrease over time, and you may eventually need surgery to restore it. Your doctor will monitor for this during your treatment.