Pain After Intravitreal Therapy

This randomized clinical trial is comparing two different needles (27 gauge versus 30 gauge) for intravitreal therapy (IVT). Standardized questionnaires and pain scales should allow for standard recommendation regarding the optimal needle size for IVT.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of the type of the needle on pain scores after intravitreal therapy (IVT).

Design: Randomized clinical trial Methods: A total of 200 patients, treated with an IVT for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or a vascular retinal disease, will be included and randomly assigned to be treated with either a 27-gauge needle (group 1) or a 30-gauge needle (group 2). After IVt the patient has to fill out a standardized questionnaire including pain scores on the visual analog scale after the surgical procedure.

Regression analysis of the scaled questionnaires should allow for a standard recommendation regarding the optimal needle size for minimal subjective pain during IVT.

Inclusion Criteria:

• vitrearetinal disease including age-related macular degeneration,
• clinical significant macular edema due to diabetic retinopathy or other vascular disorders
• treatment with intravitreal therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• missing informed consent
• age under 50 years