Practice patterns for intravitreal injections in Argentina. Results from a national survey of the Argentine Council of Ophthalmology

Abstract

Purpose : Disparities in practice patterns for intravitreal injections (IVI) are observed throughout the world. As no guidelines for intravitreal injections are provided for ophthalmologists in Argentina, our aim was to evaluate practice patterns of IVI among ophthalmologists in our country.

Methods : An anonymous web-based questionnaire was to 5,436 ophthalmologists practicing in Argentina. Questions included age, region/province of practice, years in practice, subspecialty, specific training for IVI, number of IVI/month, setting for IVI, informed consent, drug injected, commercial/off-label drugs, povidone iodine antisepsis, sterility of lid speculum, mask and gloves, use of anesthetics, use of systemic/ local antibiotics, immediate and mid-term complications.

Results : 438 (8.05%) ophthalmologists responded the survey, 87.7% of whom perform IVI; only 20.3% of them were retina specialists; 39.7% perform less than five IVI per month; 88% provided an informed consent to patients. Antiangiogenic drugs are most frequently injected (98.7%). The most frequently treated disease is age-related macular degeneration (33.9%). Off-label drugs are used by 54.4% respondents. IVI are performed in the operating room by 82.8%, and in the office by 17.2%. Povidone-iodine is used by 97.7%, sterile lid speculum 89%, sterile gloves 92.7%, and mask 88%. Complications during IVI were reported by 18.7%, and post IVI complications by 25.8%.

Conclusions : This is the first national survey regarding intravitreal injections. This survey provided estimates of current practices among ophthalmologists from Argentina performing IVI. This work stablishes a baseline to set and improve our standard of care, contributing to tailor best practice patterns around the world.

This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.