<p>Survey of Intravitreal Injection Techniques Among Retina Specialists in Mexico</p>

Abstract

Purpose: To report technique preferences for intravitreal injections among retina specialists in Mexico. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Ophthalmologists with a two-year retina training, active members of the Mexican Retina Association, were contacted through email to answer a survey consisting of 37 items regarding their IVI application technique. Results: A total of 133 retina specialists participated, with a response rate of 78%. Fortyfive percent applied the intravitreal injections in an operating room designated for the procedure. Sixty-three percent reported never injecting both eyes on the same day. Ninetysix percent wore a face mask during the procedure and 91% wore gloves. Eighty-two percent used a lid speculum. Tetracaine drops were the anesthetic method employed by 97% of participants. All participants utilized povidone-iodine for antisepsis. Eighty percent measured the puncture site with a caliper. Superotemporal quadrant was the one chosen to place the injection by 63% of participants. Fifty-nine percent indicated post-injection antibiotic drops for several days. Post-injection counting fingers visual acuity was verified by 53% of the participants. Fifty-six percent of the participants placed an eye-patch after the procedure. Conclusion: There are different practices regarding the application of intravitreal injections among retina specialists in Mexico. Performing this type of survey periodically could show changes in preferences, as new evidence is incorporated into clinical practice.

Method of Povidone–iodine Application and Endophthalmitis Risk

“…[15][16][17][18] Consequently, PI is used world-wide for ophthalmic prophylaxis. [19][20][21][22][23][24] Although 5% PI use is ubiquitous, how PI is used is not standardized. In our practice the many physicians use one of several broad approaches for PI prophylaxis as part of their habitual routine, offering a natural experiment in evaluating the proportion of endophthalmitis cases according to each method of prophylaxis.…”