Patient preferences in retinal drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Vascular Diseases
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Intravitreal injections (IVT) are standard for retinal vascular diseases (RVDs) but face compliance challenges and risks.
• Patient adherence to IVT therapy is a significant concern in managing chronic RVDs.
• Alternative drug delivery methods for RVDs, such as eye drops and oral medications, are under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors contributing to low patient compliance with IVT injections for RVDs.
• To assess patient preferences for different RVD treatment delivery methods.
• To understand patient perspectives on IVT injections versus alternative therapies.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to RVD patients receiving IVT injections at the Glick Eye Institute.
• Data collected included demographics, diagnoses, treatment history, and patient-reported preferences using Likert scales.
• Statistical analyses, including t-tests, were used to compare responses across different demographic groups.

Main Results:

• The study included 54 RVD patients, with common diagnoses being age-related macular degeneration, macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy.
• Most patients (83%) experienced anxiety before their first IVT injection, though 80% were willing to continue indefinitely.
• A significant majority preferred eye drops (76%) or oral tablets (65%) over IVT injections due to perceived pros and cons.

Conclusions:

• While RVD patients accept IVT injections for vision preservation, there is a strong preference for less invasive delivery methods.
• The findings underscore the need for developing and validating alternative RVD treatments, such as eye drops and oral medications.
• Patient preference for alternative RVD therapies highlights opportunities for improved treatment adherence and patient satisfaction.