Evaluation of Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium plus Glycerin (Optive®) in Ocular Discomfort after Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Intravitreal Injection Therapy: A Prospective Study

Abstract

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a mix of carboxymethylcellulose and glycerin (Optive®) after intravitreal injection therapy (IVT) with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for reducing ocular discomfort in patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We prospectively included patients who were naïve to any IVT. No artificial tear treatment was prescribed after the first IVT. After the second IVT, all patients instilled 3 drops per day of Optive® for 3 days. Every patient answered a questionnaire concerning the ocular discomfort at 72 h after both IVTs and a questionnaire about tolerance to treatment after the second IVT. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We included 45 patients (mean age 72.3 years [range 23–94], 25 females); 14 (34.1%) reported a feeling of grittiness after the first IVT but not after the second (<i>p</i> = 0.01); 12 (29.3%) complained of global discomfort after the first IVT but not after the second (<i>p</i> = 0.14); and 11 (26.8%) reported a watery eye after the first IVT but not after the second (<i>p</i> = 0.21); 37/45 (82%) patients felt ocular discomfort after IVT. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Most patients felt ocular discomfort after IVT. Instillation of Optive® significantly alleviated the feeling of grittiness for more than half of the patients.