Survey of Intravitreal Injection Techniques and Treatment Protocols Among Members of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association

OBJECTIVES: To describe the intravitreal injection (IVI) techniques, practices, and treatment protocols of ophthalmologists in Turkey from May 20, 2020 to June 4, 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All members of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association were contacted by e-mail to complete an anonymous, 47-question internet-based survey. RESULTS: Thirteen percent of the participants prescribed prophylactic antibiotics pre-injection, 63.8% (406/636) used antibiotic drops immediately after injection, and 91.8% prescribed topical antibiotics. The majority of IVI procedures were performed in an operating room (65.3%) or clean room (33.6%). Most surgeons used sterile gloves, masks, sterile drape, sterile fenestrated cover, and sterile eyelid speculum. Multispecialists (M) preferred to wear sterile gloves more than retina specialists (RS) (99.0% vs. 95.3%; p=0.004). Also, M prescribed antibiotics more than RS (93.7% vs. 88.8%; p=0.029). RS dilated the pupil more frequently than M (48.3% vs. 39.0%) (p=0.020). RS were more familiar to use different quadrants (right p=0.012; left p=0.001). Most surgeons (82.8%) did not perform injections in both eyes on the same day. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmologists in Turkey employ a wide range of techniques in care before, during, and after IVI. In addition, IVI techniques and treatment protocols differed between RS and M. Further research is needed to elucidate best practice patterns.