Latest findings indicate intravitreal injection regimens associated with treating retinal disease can have a detrimental effect on a patient’s quality of life.
Data showed 64 per cent of patients who undergo monthly eye injections wished the frequency of injections or appointments could be reduced.
The research, sponsored by drug firm Allergan, was presented last weekend at the 6th World Congress on Controversies in Ophthalmology in Sorrento, Italy, by Sobha Sivraprasad from Moorfields Eye Hospital.
Market research was conducted among 131 patients with either retinal vein occlusion or diabetic macular oedema in Germany, Italy and the UK.
As well as inducing anxiety, worry, and disturbed sleep patterns, each injection appointment had major practical implications due to the amount of time patients and their carers were required to take off work.
Sivaprasad said: ‘The burden associated with loss of vision is well recognised, and it is important that we seek to prevent visual deterioration with the treatments we have available. However, I do believe that it is only recently that clinicians have really started to think about the true impact our choice of treatment can have on patients and their family.’