Effect of topical 5% phenylephrine in reducing the incidence of subconjunctival hemorrhage after intravitreal injection

Background and objective: Subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH) is a common condition; one of its important causes is intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), which is used to treat various ocular pathologies. In this study, we aimed to decrease subconjunctival hemorrhage with the use of a 5% phenylephrine hydrochloride topical drop.

Methods

Prospective, randomized, single-blind, multicenter study. One hundred patients (116 eyes) with different retinal pathologies were enrolled, divided into two groups: group 1, 50 patients (60 eyes), received one drop of phenylephrine, and group 2, 50 patients (56 eyes), received a drop of distilled water, fifteen minutes before intravitreal injection. Patients were examined by slit lamp for presence of subconjunctival hemorrhage 24 hours after the injection.