Improving Patient Comfort During Intravitreal Injections: Anesthesia Strategies in Retina Practice
Abstract
Intravitreal injections (IVI) are among the most frequently performed ophthalmic procedures, often requiring repeated administration for chronic retinal diseases. As treatment burden increases, the patient experience, encompassing procedural comfort, anxiety, trust in the care team, and emotional engagement with long-term therapy, has emerged as an important consideration in modern retina practice. Ocular anesthesia plays a central role in minimizing pain and may help reduce anxiety and support adherence to therapy. This article examines ocular anesthesia techniques used in intravitreal therapy through a patient-experience lens, with a focus on patient-reported comfort, procedural efficiency, and clinical safety. Current techniques include topical anesthetic drops, gels, anesthetic-soaked pledgets, and less commonly, subconjunctival injections or regional blocks. Current literature has not identified a single superior technique, which highlights the importance of individualized, patient-centered selection based on comfort, anxiety, and prior experience. We propose a patient-centered framework that integrates expectations, communication, feedback, and we identify gaps in current knowledge and priorities for future research. Continued emphasis on patient experience, alongside well-tolerated and practical anesthetic options, may support adherence to long-term therapy and optimize outcomes in retinal disease management.
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BibTeX
@article{lai2026improving,
title = {{Improving Patient Comfort During Intravitreal Injections: Anesthesia Strategies in Retina Practice}},
author = {Eric W. Lai MD and Timothy Lee MD and Dhruv P. Patel BS and Sidney A. Schechet MD and Seenu M. Hariprasad MD},
journal = {Journal of Patient Experience},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1177/23743735261501458},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735261501458},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Improving Patient Comfort During Intravitreal Injections: Anesthesia Strategies in Retina Practice
AU - Eric W. Lai MD
AU - Timothy Lee MD
AU - Dhruv P. Patel BS
AU - Sidney A. Schechet MD
AU - Seenu M. Hariprasad MD
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Journal of Patient Experience
DO - 10.1177/23743735261501458
UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735261501458
AB - Intravitreal injections (IVI) are among the most frequently performed ophthalmic procedures, often requiring repeated administration for chronic retinal diseases. As treatment burden increases, the patient experience, encompassing procedural comfort, anxiety, trust in the care team, and emotional engagement with long-term therapy, has emerged as an important consideration in modern retina practice. Ocular anesthesia plays a central role in minimizing pain and may help reduce anxiety and support adherence to therapy. This article examines ocular anesthesia techniques used in intravitreal therapy through a patient-experience lens, with a focus on patient-reported comfort, procedural efficiency, and clinical safety. Current techniques include topical anesthetic drops, gels, anesthetic-soaked pledgets, and less commonly, subconjunctival injections or regional blocks. Current literature has not identified a single superior technique, which highlights the importance of individualized, patient-centered selection based on comfort, anxiety, and prior experience. We propose a patient-centered framework that integrates expectations, communication, feedback, and we identify gaps in current knowledge and priorities for future research. Continued emphasis on patient experience, alongside well-tolerated and practical anesthetic options, may support adherence to long-term therapy and optimize outcomes in retinal disease management.
SN - 2374-3743
SN - 2374-3735
ER -