Patient Preference and Safety of Bilateral Intravitreal Injection of Anti-VEGF Therapy

Abstract

Purpose: : To determine patient preference and rate of endophthalmitis, cerebrovascular accident, and myocardial infarction following bilateral intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents.

Methods: : Retrospective, noncomparative case series. A chart review was conducted of patients receiving bilateral, intravitreal anti-VEGF injections between August 2006 and October 2008 in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa. The response to standardized questions regarding preferences and adverse events was collected.

Results: : One hundred patients were identified and received 348 total injections with an average of 3.5 bilateral injections and a range of 1 to 13. Subjects showed a strong preference for bilateral eye injections on the same visit rather than single eye injections on two different visits. Amongst those patients that previously had single eye injections, an equal level of discomfort with either regimen was reported. There were no cases of endophthalmitis, myocardial infraction, or cerebrovascular accident.

Conclusions: : Patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration in both eyes have a strong preference for bilateral injections on a single visit compared to sequential visits and injections. Although limited by a retrospective design, moderate subject number, and lack of a control group, this study suggests bilateral intravitreal injections may be safe and well tolerated.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • vascular endothelial growth factor • injection