The effects of loading ranibizumab on vision-related quality of life in the treatment of low-risk neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Background: The loss of central vision plays a major role in the quality of life (QoL). This study evaluates the changes in QoL in the treatment of low-risk neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in vision-related QoL in patients receiving intravitreal ranibizumab loading dose for low-risk neovascular AMD. Design: A prospective study. Methods: Forty-two eyes of 42 patients receiving ranibizumab injections for neovascular AMD were included in this prospective study. The changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) of the patients before the treatment, and 1 month after three loading doses were evaluated. Turkish version of the National Eye Institute 25-Item Vision Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25 TR) was conducted. The changes of QoL scores through the NEI VFQ-25 TR questionnaire were compared with visual acuity (VA) and CMT measurements before the injections and 1 month after the loading dose. Results: Forty-two patients (19 females and 23 males) were included in the study, and the mean age was 72.69 ± 7.12 years. After the treatment, a statistically significant improvement in BCVA (0.98 ± 0.44, 0.76 ± 0.42 logMAR, p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in CMT (357.90 ± 71.71, 274.50 ± 58.35 μm, p < 0.001) was observed. The QoL composite score was found to be statistically significantly higher after the treatment (64.27 ± 11.47, 68.56 ± 11.39, p < 0.001). General vision (p < 0.001), ocular pain (p = 0.025), near activities (p < 0.001), distance activities (p = 0.027), vision-specific mental health (p = 0.014), vision-specific role difficulties (p < 0.001), and peripheral vision (p = 0.046) were significantly higher after the treatment. Conclusion: NEI VFQ-25 TR is a useful questionnaire for evaluating changes in visual functions and psychosocial characteristics of low-risk neovascular AMD patients before and after the injections.