RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a novel guarded 33-gauge injection device can make the intravitreal injection procedure faster and more comfortable for patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Single-center, prospective, randomized interventional study. Seventy participants receiving bilateral injections on the same day had one eye injected with the 33-gauge injection device without a speculum and the other eye injected with a standard 30-gauge needle using a speculum. Length of time needed for the injection procedure was assessed, and subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their comfort level with each device during the injection procedure as well as immediately after, later that evening, and the next day. RESULTS: Intravitreal injections using the 33-gauge injection device were significantly faster, but there was no significant difference in the incidence or levels of pain between the two needle types. CONCLUSION: The 33-gauge injection device may offer advantages over a standard 30-gauge needle when performing an intravitreal injection.
