[Management of intravitreal injections].

PURPOSE: The intravitreal injection is a minimally invasive technique which has been proved to be an effective therapy in the management of numerous vitreoretinal diseases. Its use has been rapidly increased in the last few years due to new medications and indications. However, non-standardized performance of this procedure might cause severe complications, being of special concern intraocular infection. The aim of this Guide is to give ophthalmologists, with the information we have up to date, the guidelines needed to make this procedure safe.
METHODS: 1. Reviewing the literature regarding evidence published up to date. 2. Consulting with experienced surgeons their common practice in this technique. 3. Contrasting the information from this Guide with those guides published in other countries.
RESULTS: Although there is no complete consensus regarding the intravitreal injection procedure technique, the recommendations in this Guide are, up to date from our point of view, the most appropriate to prevent complications, specially infection. Of most importance are antisepsis with povidone iodine, the use of sterile material and gloves and an adequate injection technique.
CONCLUSIONS: Large series published of intravitreal injections which took place in clinic settings applying a procedure technique as recommended in this Guide, presented a very low incidence of complications, specially endophthalmitis.