Intravitreous injection for establishing ocular diseases model

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Visual Sciences
• Animal Research Models

Background:

• Intravitreous injection is a key technique in visual sciences for disease modeling and treatment.
• Standard methods can be complex and costly, requiring specialized equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a simplified, inexpensive intravitreous injection protocol using readily available tools.
• To provide practical tips for creating effective injection needles and secure syringe connections.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 1 ml syringe and custom-made glass pipette needles.
• Employed specific anatomical landmarks (superior nasal region, 1.5 mm from limbus) and a 45-degree injection angle.
• Incorporated a pre-injection step to reduce intraocular pressure by gently expelling vitreous humor.

Main Results:

• Achieved successful intravitreous injections with minimal ocular trauma, avoiding bleeding and conjunctival/muscle incision.
• The procedure was completed quickly (minutes) with no observed complications like infection or traumatic cataract.
• Demonstrated the adaptability of the method for other localized drug delivery in small mammals.

Conclusions:

• This protocol offers a practical, low-cost alternative for intravitreous injections in research settings.
• The technique prioritizes the preservation of ocular structures, enhancing safety and reliability.
• The described methods can be adapted for broader applications in small animal drug delivery.