Needle size in intravitreal injections - XXXX evaluation of a randomized clinical trial.

@entity1 @entity158
PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of the needle size used for intravitreal (IVT) injections on @entity1 ' @entity158 experience in a randomized, double-armed, single-blinded, clinical trial. METHODS: @entity1 included were randomized to have an IVT injection performed with a 27-gauge needle (group 1) or with a 30-gauge needle (group 2). The topical anaesthesia before the injection was standardized. Immediately after the injection, @entity1 were asked to grade their @entity158 using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Wong-Baker FACES scale. The main outcome measure was the @entity158 score assessment. Cofactors analysed were @entity1 ' demographics (age and gender) and clinical characteristics (such as the number of previous IVT injections). In addition, scaled surgeon's questionnaires to assess the IVT injection procedure were evaluated. For statistical analysis, a regression model was used. RESULTS: The data of 208 @entity1 (group 1: 104 @entity1 ; group 2: 104 @entity1 ) were analysed. There was no significant difference in the VAS @entity158 scores (p  >  0.18) and in the Wong-Baker @entity158 scores (p  >  0.59) between both treatment groups. Gender (p  =  0.0288) and the number of previous IVT injections (p  =  0.0028) significantly influenced the VAS @entity158 scores (p  <  0.05). Female @entity1 and @entity1 with a history of previous IVT injections had higher @entity158 scores. The surgeon's questionnaire showed an overall preference towards the use of a 30-gauge needle for IVT injections. CONCLUSION: The use of a 30-gauge needle for IVT injections showed no significant effect in @entity158 relief compared to the use of a 27-gauge needle. However, a 30-gauge needle was preferred by all surgeons.
