Anxiety and pain perception using a speculum-free eyelid retraction technique for intravitreal injection

Purpose This study compared pain and anxiety levels in individuals receiving intravitreal injections (IVIs) using a speculum-free injection technique, the lid splinting eyelid retraction technique, or using a speculum. Methods This was a prospective study of individuals receiving IVI at a single tertiary care medical center who responded to a questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS) between December 2019 and January 2020. In one group, a speculum was used prior to injection, whereas in the other group, a speculum-free injection technique was used. Results A total of 108 individuals were included in this study: 54 received IVI with the speculum-free lid splinting eyelid retraction technique and 54 received IVI with a speculum. A correlation between pain and anxiety was demonstrated in the control group ( p -value