Perceived stress levels among patients treated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration with anti-VEGF injections.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess perceived stress levels in patients with nAMD undergoing treatment with anti-VEGF injections, and to investigate psychosocial and visual factors that can be associated with perceived stress among these patients.

Methods: We recruited 202 patients diagnosed with nAMD (mean age of 78 years) who had received three or more anti-VEGF injections and had been scheduled for further treatments. To measure perceived stress, participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS10). For the associated factors, the participants also completed the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 and Multidimensional Perceived Social Support. Participants completed the questionnaires at home before an upcoming treatment scheduled at the hospital. Best corrected visual acuity was measured at the hospital before the treatment. Factors associated with PSS10 scores were examined using multiple regression models.

Results: Participants with near vision impairment perceived higher stress levels than those without near vision impairment (p = 0.034). Younger age (β = -0.15, p = 0.003), better visual acuity (β = -4.20, p = 0.036), poorer perceived social support (β = -1.21, p < 0.001), and poorer self-reported visual function (β = -0.16, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased levels of perceived stress.

Conclusions: Our study highlighted factors potentially associated with increased perceived stress in nAMD patients undergoing anti-VEGF treatment. Self-reported visual function, in particular near-vision, and perceived social support are factors that can be addressed to reduce the levels of stress and risk of mental health disorders in this patient group.