Impact of intravitreous bevacizumab injections on perceived quality of life in a cohort of patients with exudative age related macular degeneration: real life results at 4 years

• Published in: Acta ophthalmologica (Oxford, England) England), 2016-10, Vol.94 (S256), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Montero Moreno, J.A., Arnaiz, C., Martinez‐Perez, L., de la Fuente, A., Gonzalez Uruena, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ophthalmology
• ISSN: 1755-375X; 1755-3768
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2016.0407

Purpose To examine the relationship between visual acuity, number of injections performed and Quality of Life (QoL) outcomes in patients with exudative age related macular degeneration (AMD) treated by intravitreal bevacizumab. Methods Single centre, prospective study. This is a prospective study that was performed on 59 patients treated by intravitreal bevacizumab for exudative AMD on a treat and extend regime during four years in real life conditions at a public university hospital. Patients were evaluated by best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) charts, posterior biomicroscopy, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT). In order to evaluate perceived visual quality of life the Visual Functioning Questionnaire‐25 (NEI‐VFQ25) was used prior to any visual test at baseline, at month 6, at month 12 and at month 48. Results Twenty patients completed the 4 year follow‐up. Mean age at baseline was 78 years (range 55 to 88). At baseline 11 patients showed bilateral disease (16 patients at month 48). The average number of injections performed was 12 (range 0–48). The average number of ETDRS letters read at baseline was 50.6 (range 1–85, SD 27.3) vs. 49.4 (range 1–82, SD 26.0) by the end of the 48‐month period. The average values in NEI‐VFQ25 in Health and Vision items and those related to Difficulty with Activities were 2.9 and 3 at baseline and at 48 months. The average value in Response to Vision Problems items decreased from 4 to 3. Conclusions A mild decrease in BCVA was associated with a similar decrease in the perceived quality of life determined by NEI‐VFQ25 in patients with exudative AMD treated by intravitreal bevacizumab after four years treatment on a treat and extend regime.