Abstract
Purpose: :
To describe the intravitreal injection technique practice patterns of retinal specialists in the United States from October 27, 2008 to January 10, 2009.
Methods: :
226 retinal specialists, with both academic and private practice affiliations, were contacted by email to complete a 10-question online survey.
Results: :
75 retinal specialists (33%) responded to the survey. Most respondents measure the site of intravitreal injection from the limbus (72%), check the optic nerve for perfusion post-injection (52%), and prescribe post-injection antibiotics (87%). Most do not, however, anteriorize the conjunctiva before injection (16%), measure post-injection intraocular pressure within thirty minutes of the procedure (48%), or prescribe pre-injection prophylactic topical antibiotics (15%). A majority of retinal specialists use a 31-gauge needle for the injection of ranibizumab or bevacizumab (83%); however specialists commonly use either a 27- or 30-gauge needle for the injection of triamcinolone acetonide (51% and 44% respectively).
Conclusions: :
Retinal specialists in the United States participate in a range of techniques for the care before, during, and after intravitreal injections.
Keywords: injection • age-related macular degeneration • vitreous