Dr. Mareen Schmidt’s ophthalmology practice in the heart of Frankfurt Westend specializes in diagnosing and treating serious retinal diseases. The intravitreal operative medication injection (IVOM), commonly known as the “eye injection,” forms the basis of modern therapy to prevent vision loss. As an experienced retinal specialist, Dr. Schmidt understands patients’ concerns about this procedure and has optimized the entire treatment using her patient-centered 5-S method, ensuring maximum safety, comfort, and effectiveness.
Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common reason for treatment. Intravitreal injections (IVOM) inhibit the growth and activity of abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina. These vessels damage the central vision cells.
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a serious complication of diabetes and a leading cause of vision loss in diabetic patients. IVOM helps reduce chronic swelling in the macula caused by increased vessel permeability.
Macular edema can also occur after retinal vein occlusions, which are similar to blood clots in the eye. IVOM combats the severe swelling and resulting oxygen deficiency in the retina.
In cases of eye inflammation (uveitis), IVOM may be used to control severe, non-infectious inflammatory reactions. This treatment is often combined with long-acting corticosteroid preparations.
Treating conditions like macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema, or vascular occlusions often requires intravitreal injections (IVOM) with the highest level of precision and trust. Dr. Mareen Schmidt, an experienced ophthalmologist in Frankfurt, specializes in this therapy. Drawing on her extensive background as a surgical senior physician, she performs the treatment carefully and adheres to strict hygiene standards. Her practice offers diagnostics, consultation, and IVOM therapy all from one skilled professional, ensuring safe and continuous care to preserve your vision over the long term.
We ensure the highest level of medical safety by having Dr. med. Mareen Schmidt personally perform every IVOM procedure. Her extensive experience as a retina specialist is key to successful treatment. We take the time to create a calm and trusting environment. The entire procedure is carried out with care and precision to ensure your comfort.
Thanks to a thorough, multi-step local anesthesia using highly effective eye drops, the procedure is almost pain-free. You will not feel the injection, only a brief, mild pressure.
We strictly follow hygiene standards comparable to those in operating rooms to minimize the risk of infection, the most serious possible complication. From the initial consultation through detailed planning, the injection itself, and personalized aftercare, every step is carefully monitored and documented.
You will receive a thorough explanation. Before the procedure, your eye is prepared by applying numbing eye drops several times until the surface becomes completely insensitive to pain.
The eye and the surrounding skin are thoroughly disinfected. The procedure is performed under strict sterile conditions to completely eliminate any risk of infection.
A gentle eyelid clamp keeps your eye open so you don't have to blink. Dr. Schmidt then performs the injection quickly, precisely, and safely into the white part of the eye.
Immediately after the injection, eye pressure and vision are checked. Further follow-up care takes place in the familiar environment of our practice.
| Medication (Example) | Mode of Action and Key Features | Common areas of application |
|---|---|---|
Lucentis® (Ranibizumab) | Blocking VEGF-A has a long history of proven effectiveness and high safety. | Wet AMD, cataracts, and venous occlusions. |
Eylea® (Aflibercept) | Functions as a “VEGF trap” by binding VEGF-A and PlGF. This may allow for longer treatment intervals. | Wet AMD, cataracts, and vein occlusions. |
Vabysmo® (Faricimab) | The latest generation enables a dual blockade of VEGF-A and Angiopoietin-2. | Wet AMD and cataracts. |
Ozurdex® (Dexamethason) | Corticosteroid depot implant with strong anti-inflammatory effects lasting for months. | Uveitis, retinal vein occlusions, and therapy-resistant diabetic macular edema. |
Medications and Treatments for Retinal Diseases (IVOM)
Lucentis® (Ranibizumab)
Mechanism of Action / Features: Blocks VEGF-A. It has a long history of proven use and high safety.
Common Uses: Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and vein occlusions.
Eylea® (Aflibercept)
Mechanism of Action / Features: Acts as a “VEGF trap” by binding VEGF-A and placental growth factor (PlGF). It may allow for longer intervals between treatments.
Common Uses: Wet AMD, diabetic macular edema, and vein occlusions.
Vabysmo® (Faricimab)
Mechanism of Action / Features: The latest generation. Provides dual blockade of VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2.
Common Uses: Wet AMD and diabetic macular edema.
Ozurdex® (Dexamethasone)
Mechanism of Action / Features: A corticosteroid implant that delivers a strong anti-inflammatory effect lasting for months.
Common Uses: Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye), vein occlusions, and treatment-resistant diabetic macular edema when other therapies fail.
No, you will not feel the injection itself because we use a multi-step local anesthesia. Our priority is to ensure your treatment is comfortable and free of anxiety.
IVOM is often a long-term treatment for a chronic condition. After an initial loading phase, the intervals between treatments are adjusted based on your individual condition to achieve stable results with as few injections as possible.
IVOM is a very safe routine procedure when performed by an experienced specialist. Common side effects include minor bleeding on the surface of the eye or a temporary foreign body sensation, both harmless. The most serious complication, an infection, is extremely rare and prevented by strict sterile conditions.
No, you must not drive yourself on the day of the treatment because your vision will be temporarily impaired. Please arrange for someone to accompany you or take a taxi home.
Without consistent intravitreal injection therapy, diseases like wet AMD and diabetic macular edema usually progress. This results in increasing and often irreversible damage to the retina and significant loss of central vision.
Yes, IVOM is a recognized treatment for approved conditions and is fully covered by private health insurance.
Performing an IVOM demands great precision and experience. As a retina specialist, Dr. Mareen Schmidt has the expertise to provide you with the safest and most effective treatment while carefully managing your therapy progress.
As your eye specialist in Frankfurt, Dr. med. Mareen Schmidt combines extensive clinical experience as a senior physician in the Clinic for Retinal Diseases with over 10,000 intraocular procedures, including IVOM, laser treatments, cataract surgery, and vitreous body surgery. She uses the latest diagnostic technology to provide top-level care. Her approach emphasizes scientifically proven ophthalmology that focuses on the individual patient. In her practice located in Frankfurt’s Westend, she dedicates time to accurate diagnosis and offers personal, trustworthy consultations.
Dr. med. Mareen Schmidt has been awarded the BDOC quality seal. This certificate, issued by BDOC, recognizes expert eye surgeons and serves as a mark of excellence in eye surgery.
Use advanced diagnostics and proven treatments to preserve your vision for life.
Build a trusting doctor-patient relationship and protect your eyesight with the utmost care.
