Patients' preferences in choosing therapy for retinal vein occlusions.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess preference values for vein occlusions with macular edema and to determine how this may affect patient perceptions of potential treatments.


METHODS
The Submacular Surgery Trials Vision Preference Value Scale and questions regarding enthusiasm for potential treatments were administered to 153 patients with vein occlusion. Univariate analyses identified predictors of preference values, followed by adjustment for potential confounders using multivariate linear regression. Relationships between preference values and enthusiasm for potential treatments were assessed.


RESULTS
The mean preference values +/- SD were similar for patients with branch vein occlusions and central vein occlusions (0.65 +/- 0.20). Lower preference values were associated with duration of occlusion of >2 years (P=0.03) and poorer last-recorded visual acuity (P=0.02). Approximately one half of patients were moderately or very enthusiastic about undergoing intravitreal injection. Sixty-nine percent of branch vein occlusion patients were moderately or very enthusiastic about the standard of care, laser photocoagulation; only one third of central vein occlusion patients were moderately or very enthusiastic about standard observation.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that vein occlusion with macular edema has a significant impact on quality of life. Most patients were willing to undergo potentially invasive treatment.
Chang
Margaret A
MA
Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Fine
Howard F
HF
Bass
Eric
E
Bressler
Susan B
SB
Schachat
Andrew P
AP
Solomon
Sharon D
SD
Bressler
Neil M
NM
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile