[Patient's Knowledge after Informed Consent for Intravitreal Injections].

BACKGROUND

Intravitreal treatment (IVT) is one of the most common ophthalmological procedures. Therapeutic effectiveness is however dependent on patient compliance. Unwanted treatment cessation rates are high though. The authors therefore decided to analyse the patient's knowledge and treatment expectations, as discrepancies are known to negatively affect compliance and thus treatment outcomes.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The study was designed as an exploratory survey. In total, 100 patients presenting to an outpatient clinic of a tertiary care centre from October to December 2016 were included. A structured, anonymised questionnaire was handed out, consisting mainly of question items with closed code lists as response domains. Solely descriptive analysis of results was performed.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 73 years. 70% had received more than 3 IVTs in at least one eye. Age-related macula degeneration was the most common underlying cause (52%). 64% expected improvement of visual acuity after IVT. 42% could not name one medication used in their IVT. 55% felt that the information provided during informed consent had been adequate. 69% did not know the post-surgical occurrence of endophthalmitis. Three patients were confident of being able to drive a car directly after IVT.

CONCLUSION

Patient's knowledge of their underlying disease, treatment goals and complications rates exhibited some deficiencies. Standardised patient information sheets could be of significant use and were actively suggested by patients to improve the informed consent process.