The use of injection assistance devices is increasing in popularity, according to a study of intravitreal injection (IVI) habits conducted in the United Kingdom.
The retrospective review found a 47.89% increase over five years in the number of injections administered with the Precivia intravitreal injection assist device.1 The review was conducted at two district hospitals in the UK and considered data on the device’s distribution over the UK from 2015–2020.
The study authors noted that demand for IVI of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF), first line treatments for retinal pathologies such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration, has increased.
The study also noted there was an “incremental increase” in the uptake of the Precivia IVI assist device.
The single-use device is placed 3.5 mm from the limbus with a central aperture to ensure globe fixation, the article explained. An angled guide port allows the injection of anti-VEGF with a 30-guage needed at a fixed depth of 5.6 mm in a consistent and repeatable manner, the authors said.
The study authors concluded there was an incremental increase in the number of injections using the device each successive year. Similarly, the number of Precivia devices distributed in the UK increased over five years, suggesting “the device is gaining nationwide popularity”.
“An increasing body of evidence demonstrates its safety, efficacy, ease of use and cost-effectiveness,” the study concluded. “Further studies are warranted to compare other intravitreal injection assist devices and assess their clinical performance with Precivia.”
Reference
- Ahmed, I., Maghsoudlou, P., Shah, N., Increasing trends in the use of Precivia intravitreal injection assist devices across the UK, Eur J Ophthalmol. 2024 Feb 20:11206721241232453. DOI: 10.1177/11206721241232453. Epub ahead of print.
