New data presented at the 6th World Congress on Controversies in Ophthalmology (COPHy) show that the intravitreal (inside eye) injection regimens associated with treating retinal disease can have a detrimental effect on a patient’s quality of life, and that 64% who undergo monthly eye injections say the main improvement they would like from their treatment regimen would be to reduce the frequency of injections (42%) or appointments (22%) whilst still achieving the same results.
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The market research conducted amongst 131 patients with either retinal vein occlusion (RVO) or diabetic macular oedema (DMO) in Germany, Italy and the UK, reveals that as well as inducing anxiety, worry, and disturbed sleep patterns, each injection appointment has major practical implications due to the amount of time patients, and their carers, are required to take off work.
On average, patients spend a total of four and half hours travelling to their appointment and receiving their injection, with 53% of patients who work having to take at least one day off work. Of those, 25% take off two to three days to cover the injection day and recovery time, and 12% take up to five days. Unsurprisingly this impact is not restricted to the patient, it also involves their carers and family. 71% of patients need the assistance of a carer to attend an appointment, resulting in 59% of carers who work being obliged to take time off.
Newer treatment options for retinal disease require fewer appointments
Ms. Sobha Sivaprasad, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital 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.
“For the average patient an appointment is not limited to the 10 minutes they spend in the treatment room. It can actually mean more than 48 hours worrying and feeling anxious about the injection, over half a day travelling and attending the appointment, and for some, the added burden of having to ask a carer to sacrifice considerable amounts of their own time as well.
“I really believe that we as clinicians need to consider all available treatment types, including newer options which require fewer appointments, especially when you take into account the broader treatment commitments many patients have.”
For those patients with DMO, having diabetes means they are more likely to experience a range of comorbid chronic diseases, requiring multiple appointments with a diverse range of healthcare specialists. The data presented at COPHy show that over a six month period, the average DMO patient could have approximately 19 appointments with their ophthalmologist, GP, diabetologist and/or retina specialist. On top of these, DMO patients may also have additional appointments with neurologists, cardiologists and other specialists. The resulting impact on patient time is therefore significant and has the potential to make appointment attendance a challenge.
Ms Sivaprasad added: “We must look at each patient holistically and understand that for many of them, managing their retinal condition adds an additional layer of complexity to their lives. Anything we can do to reduce the number of injections and visits to clinic is undoubtedly going to have a positive impact on quality of life for patients and their carers.”
