Efficacy and safety of injecting increasing volumes into the extravascular spaces of the choroid using a blunt adjustable depth injector.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of injecting increasing volumes into the extravascular spaces of the choroid (EVSC) in rabbit eyes in vivo using a blunt adjustable depth injector. METHODS: Indocyanine green (ICG) was injected in the superior-temporal quadrant, 2 mm posterior to the limbus at increasing volumes (0.1-0.3 ml) into the EVSC of New Zealand rabbit eyes in vivo. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fundus imaging and histology analysis were performed to assess the safety and efficacy of the injection. RESULTS: Volumes up to 0.3 ml were administered consistently. ICG injection was successfully monitored in vivo using infrared fundus imaging and SD-OCT. ICG was detected across the EVSC compartment, reaching the retinal pigment epithelium, optic nerve head and visual streak. Injection of 0.3 ml yielded maximal dye distribution with a coverage area of 61.8% ± 6.7% (mean ± standard error, SE) of the posterior segment. Maximal IOP elevation was recorded 5 min following injection of 0.2 and 0.3 ml ICG (+ 20.0 mmHg, + 19.4 mmHg, respectively). Twenty minutes post-injection, the IOP was < 15 mmHg in all injection volumes. No retinal detachment or hemorrhages were detected in any of the injected eyes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates consistent and safe delivery of large volumes within the EVSC using a blunt adjustable depth injector that distributes the dye over 60% of the retinal surface. This injection system may offer a minimally invasive and easy way to deliver large volumes of pharmaceuticals into the posterior segment.