title: Patient knowledge concerning age-related macular degeneration: an AMD questionnaire.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease with rising prevalence. This study evaluates patients' knowledge and the need for more patient information.
  
  
  METHODS
  271 patients with AMD were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning their knowledge about AMD. 150 patients were interviewed by a physician and 121 patients completed the questionnaire on their own.
  
  
  RESULTS
  79.4 % of patients had previous knowledge about AMD. Most patients, 97.3 %, got their information from physicians. 58 % of patients find their knowledge concerning AMD adequate. Only 23.9 % knew about aid organizations for patients with visual impairments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though the majority of patients had good knowledge concerning AMD, there was a large percentage of patients who seemed to lack information. Physicians should actively ask their patients if they have any questions related to their disease. Medial focus on AMD and information about aid organizations could help patients to cope with their disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A large number of patients seemed to need additional information. We suggest that ophthalmologists provide general information concerning AMD to their patients every 3 to 5 years. Information about aid organizations specializing in visual impairment could also be provided. Well-informed patients would be better able to follow their physician's instructions and would have a better understanding of their disease, particularly for the sake of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Augenabteilung des Krankenhaus Hietzing, Wiener Krankenanstaltenverbund, Wolkersbergenstraße 1, Pavillon 2a und 2b, 1130, Vienna, Austria. michael.burgmueller@wienkav.at.|Karl Landsteiner Gesellschaft: Institut für Prozessoptimierung und Qualitätsmanagement in der Katarakt-Chirurgie, St. Pölten, Austria. michael.burgmueller@wienkav.at.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burgmüller
authors.affiliation: Karl Landsteiner Gesellschaft: Institut für Prozessoptimierung und Qualitätsmanagement in der Katarakt-Chirurgie, St. Pölten, Austria.
authors.forename: Nesrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cakmak
authors.affiliation: Augenabteilung des Krankenhaus Hietzing, Wiener Krankenanstaltenverbund, Wolkersbergenstraße 1, Pavillon 2a und 2b, 1130, Vienna, Austria.|Karl Landsteiner Gesellschaft: Institut für Prozessoptimierung und Qualitätsmanagement in der Katarakt-Chirurgie, St. Pölten, Austria.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weingessel
authors.affiliation: Augenabteilung des Krankenhaus Hietzing, Wiener Krankenanstaltenverbund, Wolkersbergenstraße 1, Pavillon 2a und 2b, 1130, Vienna, Austria.|Karl Landsteiner Gesellschaft: Institut für Prozessoptimierung und Qualitätsmanagement in der Katarakt-Chirurgie, St. Pölten, Austria.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vécsei
authors.affiliation: Augenabteilung des Krankenhaus Hietzing, Wiener Krankenanstaltenverbund, Wolkersbergenstraße 1, Pavillon 2a und 2b, 1130, Vienna, Austria.|Karl Landsteiner Gesellschaft: Institut für Prozessoptimierung und Qualitätsmanagement in der Katarakt-Chirurgie, St. Pölten, Austria.
authors.forename: Pia Veronika
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Vécsei-Marlovits
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: AMD; Age-related macular degeneration; Interview; Patient knowledge; Questionnaire