Researchers from Clearside Biomedical and Retina Consultants of Houston assessed physician-investigator experience with Clearside’s suprachoroidal (SC) injections, an investigational therapeutic administration technique using either a 900-µm or a 1,100-µm microneedle. Data from 6 clinical trials across 3 diseases (noninfectious uveitis, diabetic macula edema, and retinal vein occlusion) were evaluated. In addition to a user survey, retrospective correlations were performed between procedural variables (needle length), demographics, and ocular characteristics. The findings were published in the journal Translational Vision Science & Technology.

In the user survey, 84% (31/37) of physician-investigators did not perceive SC injections as meaningfully more challenging than other ocular injections. Patient gender and needle length were statistically associated, with 76% (210/275) of injections administered with 900-µm needles for females and 66% (202/306) of injections administered with 900-µm needles for males. Both the user survey and the correlation analysis demonstrated that SC injection is well accepted by physician-investigators, and the 2 needle lengths accommodate a wide range of anatomic and demographic variables.