- AMD causes significant fear, uncertainty, and emotional distress centred on progressive visual loss and potential blindness.
- Intravitreal aflibercept injections provoke initial anxiety but are perceived as providing hope, visual stability, and preservation of independence.
- Quality of life extends beyond vision to include emotional, social, and functional domains; patient centred care requires psychosocial support, clear communication, and assured treatment access.
Clin Ophthalmol. 2026 Sep 9;20:626968. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S626968. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To explore the experiences and perceptions of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) receiving anti-VEGF therapy and understand how treatment influences their quality of life.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A qualitative study informed by a phenomenological perspective and employing a hybrid deductive-inductive thematic analysis was conducted at an ophthalmologic center in Medellín, Colombia. Fourteen patients with confirmed AMD undergoing intravitreal aflibercept treatment participated in semi-structured telephone interviews. Participants were selected through purposive sampling until meaning saturation was achieved, defined as the point at which no new experiential themes emerged. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a hybrid deductive-inductive thematic analysis guided by the Felce and Perry quality-of-life framework, supported by ATLAS.ti v24.
RESULTS: Patients described AMD as a condition strongly associated with fear, uncertainty, and emotional distress, particularly related to progressive visual loss and blindness. Intravitreal injections were initially perceived as invasive and anxiety-provoking; however, over time many participants associated treatment with hope, visual stability, and preservation of independence. Family support, religious beliefs, and trust in the treating ophthalmologist emerged as important factors for emotional coping and treatment adherence. Participants also reported subjective improvement in daily activities such as reading, mobility, self-care, and social interaction. Nevertheless, some continued to experience limitations related to transportation, dependence on others, and social isolation. Concerns about continuity of care and access to medication were frequently expressed.
CONCLUSION: Quality of life in patients with AMD receiving anti-VEGF therapy extends beyond visual outcomes alone and is deeply influenced by emotional, social, and functional factors. Although treatment generated fear and discomfort at the beginning, it also represented an opportunity to maintain autonomy and social participation. These findings highlight the importance of patient-centered care strategies that integrate psychosocial support, clear communication, and continuous access to treatment.
PMID:42733609 | PMC:PMC13571611 | DOI:10.2147/OPTH.S626968
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