Meta-analysis finds topical anesthetic drops comparable to gels and subconjunctival anesthesia for intravitreal injectionsStudy finds topical anesthetic drops work as well as other methods for eye injections

Frontiers in Medicine Published April 2, 2026 DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

AI-generated summary of the cited source, checked by automated accuracy review. How we work

Key Takeaway

Consider topical anesthetic drops as a viable, well-tolerated option for intravitreal injection analgesia, pending further confirmatory trials.

This meta-analysis evaluated the safety and effectiveness of topical anesthetic drops compared to anesthetic gels and subconjunctival anesthesia for patients receiving intravitreal injections. The analysis included data from 637 eyes, though the specific study designs, patient populations, and clinical settings were not reported. The primary outcome was not specified, but secondary outcomes included patient-reported pain, procedural discomfort, and satisfaction.

For post-injection pain, there was no statistically significant difference between topical drops and other methods (SMD -0.11, 95% CI: -0.27 to 0.05, p = 0.18). Similarly, no significant difference was found for burning sensation (RR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.06, p = 0.11) or overall patient satisfaction (MD -0.09, 95% CI: -0.30 to 0.13, p = 0.43). Absolute numbers for these outcomes were not reported. The topical drops were described as well-tolerated, with adverse events, serious adverse events, and discontinuation rates not reported.

Key limitations, including potential heterogeneity and risk of bias in the included studies, were not reported. The funding sources and author conflicts of interest were also not reported. The analysis suggests topical anesthetic drops provide comparable analgesia to other common methods. Their rapid onset and ease of administration may support their use as a first-line option in routine, high-volume settings. However, the authors note that further high-quality randomized trials are warranted to confirm these findings across diverse patient populations and clinical contexts.

Researchers reviewed existing studies to compare different ways to numb the eye before intravitreal injections. These are injections given into the eye to treat conditions like macular degeneration. They wanted to see if simple anesthetic eye drops worked as well as anesthetic gels or a small injection of anesthetic near the eye.

The review combined data from studies involving 637 eyes. It looked at patient-reported pain, discomfort during the procedure, and overall satisfaction. The analysis found no significant difference in pain after the injection, burning sensation, or patient satisfaction between using topical drops and the other methods. All methods appeared to be well-tolerated.

The main reason to be careful is that this was a meta-analysis, which combines results from other studies. The authors note that more high-quality, randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings in different groups of patients. Readers should understand that this review suggests simple anesthetic drops are a reasonable option, but individual experiences can vary, and doctors will choose the best method for each patient's situation.

What this means for you:

Anesthetic eye drops appear equally effective for numbing during eye injections, but more research is needed.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedApr 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

BackgroundIntravitreal injections (IVI) are increasingly performed for the management of retinal diseases, yet procedural discomfort remains a common concern. Topical anesthetic drops are frequently used to mitigate pain, but evidence regarding their safety and efficacy compared with alternative anesthetic modalities, such as gels or subconjunctival injections, remains heterogeneous and limited.ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the safety and effectiveness of topical anesthetic drops for intravitreal drug administration, with a focus on patient-reported pain, procedural discomfort, and satisfaction compared with other anesthetic methods.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and other databases through October 2025. Eligible studies included clinical studies comparing topical anesthetic drops for IVI with other topical anesthetic agents.ResultsEight studies comprising 637 eyes were included. Topical anesthetic drops demonstrated analgesic efficacy comparable to anesthetic gels and subconjunctival anesthesia, with no statistically significant differences in post-injection pain (SMD −0.11, 95% CI; −0.27 to 0.05, p = 0.18), burning sensation (RR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.56, 1.06, p = 0.11), or overall patient satisfaction (MD −0.09, 95% CI −0.30 to 0.13, p = 0.43). Subgroup analyses confirmed consistent results across different formulations and delivery methods.ConclusionTopical anesthetic drops are a safe, effective, and well-tolerated option for IVI, providing analgesia comparable to gels and subconjunctival anesthesia. Their rapid onset and ease of administration support their use as a first-line anesthetic strategy in routine clinical practice, particularly in high-volume injection settings. Further high-quality randomized trials are warranted to confirm these findings across diverse patient populations and clinical contexts.

Meta-analysis finds topical anesthetic drops comparable to gels and subconjunctival anesthesia for intravitreal injectionsStudy finds topical anesthetic drops work as well as other methods for eye injections

Study Details

Late-onset rheumatoid arthritis shows higher DAS28 scores and lower remission rates compared to young-onset disease in a meta-analysis

Meta-analysis compares treatment outcomes in older versus younger rheumatoid arthritis patients

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

Meta-analysis finds topical anesthetic drops comparable to gels and subconjunctival anesthesia for intravitreal injectionsStudy finds topical anesthetic drops work as well as other methods for eye injections

Study Details

Late-onset rheumatoid arthritis shows higher DAS28 scores and lower remission rates compared to young-onset disease in a meta-analysis

Meta-analysis compares treatment outcomes in older versus younger rheumatoid arthritis patients

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

Related in Rheumatology

From Other Specialties