Comparison of pain and comfort for intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF agents using blepharostat vs non blepharostat techniques.

Abstract

Purpose : Compare patients pain and comfort on both techniques with blepharostat and non blepharostat, to choose the comfortable, safe and adequate technique for the patient intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF.

Methods : Patients eligible for intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF agents due to various types of retinal diseases were interrogated to assess pain and comfort,using blepharostat vs non-blepharostat with appropriate aseptic techniques and Antisepsis prior iodine instillation 5%. To evaluate pain, we are using the numerical scale of pain score 0-10 (0 = no pain - 5 = moderate pain, 10 = worst pain). In addition, signs of cataract, inflammation or infection were sought immediately and at 28 days

Results : Intravitreal administration without blepharostat was less painful and more comfortable for patients, also in both groups were not found signs of cataract secondary to intravitreal administration, infectious or inflammatory signs.

Conclusions : Adequate intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF technique without blepharostat is less painful, more comfortable and safe for the patient than using a blepharostat technique.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.