Successful Implementation of Nurse Intra-Vitreal Therapy Injection Training Programme in SNEC
Care Process & Redesign
Training ＆ Education
Workforce Transformation
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
SingHealth
28 November 2025
To implement a nurse Intra-Vitreal Therapy (IVT) injection training programme at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) to. The adoption of the nurse IVT injection programme demonstrated that nurses can effectively perform tasks traditionally done by...
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 28 November 2025
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Productivity, Cost Saving, Manhour Saving, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Training ＆ Education, Learning Approach, Inter-Professional Education, Workforce Transformation, Job Redesign, Upskilling
About this Content
Aims
To implement a nurse Intra-Vitreal Therapy (IVT) injection training programme at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) to shift the task from medical practitioners to trained nurses.
Background
The project describes the successful implementation of a nurse IVT injection training programme in SNEC. Previously, IVT injections were performed by medical practitioners to deliver Anti-Vascular Growth Endothelial Factor (anti-VEGF) as a sight-saving therapy.
Methods
SNEC adopted a rigorous local training programme modeled after the Moorfields Eye Hospital's IVT injection training programme for qualified nurses with three modifications were made:
1. Nurses with at least two years of working experience in Ophthalmology and prior experiences in the Retina Services were offered the initial pilot training as there were previously no Advanced Practice Nurse/Senior Clinical Specialist Nurses in Singapore previously.
2. Classroom lectures and wet lab sessions were carried out separately, instead of incorporating all in one day.
3. Monthly audits on nurse-administered IVT injections were conducted in SNEC, instead of 3-monthly.
Results
The 5-year report data analysis showed successful adoption and a good safety profile for nurse-administered IVT injections, with 85.7% performed by nurses from 2019-2023, low incidences of endophthalmitis, and significant manpower savings.
A Hong Kong-based hospital has engaged SNEC to review and accredit its IVT injection training programme for nurses, aiming to reduce patient waiting time. Partnership with Duke-NUS to utilize virtual reality to improve future IVT training programmes.
Conclusion
The adoption of the nurse IVT injection programme demonstrated that nurses can effectively perform tasks traditionally done by medical practitioners, optimizing clinic resources and improving patient care.
Lessons Learnt
Technical skills and procedures traditionally within the medical domain can be effectively transferred to nurses with structured training, rigorous assessments, and formal accreditation.
Keywords
Intra Vitreal Therapy, IVT, Nurse, Ophthalmology, Cost Saving, Manhour Saving, Training, Injection, SNEC
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Singapore National Eye Centre |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Healthcare Administration, Medical, Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Medical, Ophthalmology, Nursing, Nursing Education |
Project Lead(s) | Ian Yeo Yew San |
Project Member(s) | Thiyagarajan Jayabaskar |
Connect with this contributor!
Ian Yeo Yew San - ian.yeo.y.s@singhealth.com.sg