title: Topical lidocaine gel with and without subconjunctival lidocaine injection for intravitreal injection: a within-patient study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether patients prefer topical anesthesia or subconjunctival anesthesia for intravitreal injection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients receiving bilateral simultaneous injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents were asked to participate in this within-patient, prospective, single-blinded, randomized, factorial study. Fifty-seven patients completed the study. Both eyes were treated with topical anesthesia. One eye was also injected with subconjunctival lidocaine. Anesthesia for the next treatment visit was based on patient preference at the conclusion of the study visit and at a 4-hour and 24-hour follow-up telephone call. Patients were allowed to change their anesthesia preference during the next three visits. The final endpoint for the study was anesthesia preference for ongoing intravitreal injections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients (88%) preferred subconjunctival anesthesia and seven patients (12%) preferred topical anesthesia for ongoing treatments. (P = .0003) CONCLUSION: Given the choice, most patients prefer subconjunctival anesthesia to topical anesthesia for intravitreal injections.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Billiris-Findlay
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Eichenbaum
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Pautler
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003228:Conjunctiva; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D056965:Injections, Intraocular; D058449:Intravitreal Injections / Q000379:methods; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D005782:Gels; D008012:Lidocaine