Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Intravitreal Injections in the Ovine Eye
Published on: July 5, 2022
Feasibility of intravitreal erythropoietin injections in humans
W A Lagrèze1, N Feltgen, M Bach
1Universitäts-Augenklinik, Killianstr. 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. mail@lagreze.de
Background/Aims:
Preclinical data suggest that intravitreally administered erythropoietin (EPO) is both neuroprotective and safe. In a small pilot series, we intended to assess the feasibility of intravitreal EPO injections in humans.
Methods:
Three patients with acute vascular occlusion of the posterior pole received a single intravitreal EPO injection of 2000 U. Immediately before the injection and over the ensuing 3 months, these patients were closely monitored by measuring visual acuity, visual fields, intraocular pressure, the electroretinogram, the haematocrit and serum EPO levels.
Results:
Over the observational period, most parameters remained unchanged except for a short-term rise of serum EPO levels, which, however, did not exceeded normal serum levels. No injection-related toxicity was observed.
Conclusion:
Based on this limited set of data, a single EPO injection of 2000 U, a dose adapted from previous in vivo studies, is feasible and seems to induce no obvious damage. Hence, further investigations of this therapeutic approach appear justified.
