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Updated: Jan 24, 2026
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Intravitreal Injections in the Ovine Eye
Published on: July 5, 2022
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Prefilled syringes for intravitreal drug delivery
Thérèse M Sassalos1, Yannis M Paulus1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, ypaulus@med.umich.edu.
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
|May 23, 2019
Summary
Prefilled syringes (PFS) for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections offer improved precision and efficiency for treating retinal vascular diseases. This innovation may also reduce risks like endophthalmitis and intraocular air bubbles.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Vascular Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections are crucial for managing retinal vascular diseases.
- Historically, anti-VEGF medications were administered from vials, requiring manual preparation by physicians.
- The advent of prefilled syringes (PFS) marks a significant advancement in drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advantages and disadvantages of using prefilled syringes (PFS) for intravitreal ranibizumab injections.
- To discuss the impact of PFS on intravitreal injection techniques and clinical practice.
- To highlight the role of PFS in improving patient outcomes for retinal vascular diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for ranibizumab PFS.
- Discussion of clinical implications based on PFS characteristics.
- Analysis of potential benefits and drawbacks compared to vial-based preparations.
Main Results:
- Ranibizumab 0.5 mg PFS approved in 2016, and 0.3 mg PFS in 2018.
- PFS offer reduced injection time and improved precision in drug delivery.
- Potential benefits include reduced risk of endophthalmitis and fewer intraocular air bubbles/silicone oil droplets.
Conclusions:
- Prefilled syringes (PFS) represent a significant innovation in the administration of intravitreal anti-VEGF medications.
- PFS enhance precision, efficiency, and potentially safety in treating retinal vascular diseases.
- The adoption of PFS is likely to alter clinical practice patterns for intravitreal injections.
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