Patient experience of anti-vegf intravitreal injection

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Patient Experience
• Psychological Impact of Medical Treatments

Background:

• Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections are a cornerstone in treating macular diseases.
• Despite treatment efficacy, patient-reported stress associated with these injections is a concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient stress levels and psychological responses to intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.
• To identify factors influencing patient stress during anti-VEGF therapy for macular conditions.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 904 patients receiving anti-VEGF injections across 5 French centers.
• Patients reported on their stress levels (1-10 scale), previous injection history, and expectations versus experience.

Main Results:

• The mean stress score was 4.2, with 70% reporting low to moderate stress (≤5).
• Stress levels did not correlate with the number of prior injections; 61.2% found injections less stressful over time.
• Most patients (64%) found injections less traumatic than expected and preferred rapid administration.

Conclusions:

• Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are generally well-accepted, with stress often being manageable and decreasing with experience.
• Patient psychological disposition appears to be a more significant determinant of stress than the injection procedure itself or its frequency.