Thinking July 29th, 2025

Improving patient experiences for ocular injections

Leana Greenstein
By
Leana Greenstein Mechanical Engineer

Over 2.2 million people across the UK [1], and 12 million in the USA [2] live with visual impairment or sight loss. With an aging population this number is expected to grow, requiring more support for patients in this space.

Human Digest is an internal talk series that brings the team closer to the individuals we design for. In May’s session we spoke to a leading ophthalmologist and third sector support manager who is clinically blind. This highlighted the real gaps between NHS staff (the UK’s National Health Service) experiences and a patient’s difficult treatment journey.

Understanding the challenges within the ocular injection lifecycle

We heard first hand from an Ophthalmic Surgeon that the repetitive nature of ocular injections provides the largest challenge. The continual rise in treatment volumes, coupled with the absence of longer-acting therapies, places significant financial and operational strain on the NHS. [3]

The Support Service Manager guided us through their own journey of feeling underprepared and isolated. After such a distressing experience, they never returned for subsequent injections leading to further loss of vision.

Key challenges to the field were extracted from our conversation:

  • Dull and bulky needles increasing risk of infection
  • Lack of design feedback with implant devices leaving users uncertain if the implant has deployed
  • Fear and lack of clear post treatment support
  • Accessibility challenged travelling to and from appointments

Identifying the opportunities for better design to transform patient experiences

With much scope to refine the process for HCPs and improve the patient experience for ocular injections, we conclude that the biggest wins lie in 3 key areas:

  1. Design updates that absorb feedback from human factors studies can enhance key device features, like multisensory feedback, whilst optimizing device geometry and materials.
  2. Providing support for patients at all stages of the patient journey offers the potential to reduce fear, anxiety, and levels of missed appointments, ultimately easing pressure on the NHS. Digital tools like apps, websites, and chatbots can act as a vital aid to support individuals. Users are encouraged to feel independent and in control of their own care through use of preparation materials and guidance to support services. Contributing to the improvement of the ecosystem’s users live within, rather than isolating the procedure, provides a space for mass design and improvement.
  3. Reducing the frequency of injection promises to have the greatest potential benefit for both patients and practitioners. Current research into emerging treatments including microneedles and gene therapy are altering the way ocular diseases are managed. Removing the need for larger, invasive needles marks a transformative shift in the field of ocular care.

Over a quarter of eye clinics across the UK estimate it will take over three years to clear patient backlogs. [4] As waitlists for degenerative eye conditions continue to grow, the need for development within both the clinical treatment and wider support community has never been greater.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with our clients who are committed to improving outcomes for patients and healthcare professionals, as the need has never been more urgent.

Sources:
[1] Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Eye health data
[2] US Centers for Disease on Control and Prevention, Vision Loss
[3] Past trends and future projections within Moorefield Eye Hospital
[4] Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Eye health data trends

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