Fear Associated with COVID-19 in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Purpose: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, news related to the pandemic has created a feeling of fear, particularly among high-risk groups including elderly patients. This study aimed to assess the fear associated with COVID-19 and to evaluate the fear of vision decrease related to the delay of treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients (nAMD) during the pandemic. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study of 160 actively treated patients with nAMD enrolled between September and November 2020 at a tertiary hospital in Québec, Canada. For each participant, demographic and clinical data were collected. The anxiety was rated in a questionnaire composed of two sections: the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and eight additional questions to assess ophthalmology-related COVID-19 statements. Results: The mean ± standard deviation level of FCV-19S was 17.05±4.38. In the multivariable analysis, it was significantly higher in women (p<0.001) and lower in patients with a high school education vs elementary school (p=0.009). In the ophthalmology-related statements, 16% feared vision loss because of difficulties in maintaining regular follow-ups during the pandemic. The female gender was significantly associated with a higher tendency to postpone their appointment (p=0.03). No association was found between the patients' underlying disease characteristics and higher fear of vision loss. Conclusion: Despite the massive impact of the pandemic, anxiety related to COVID-19 and delaying ophthalmology treatments remained relatively low in nAMD patients. Greater explanations to address this fear may reduce anxiety level, especially among female patients and those with an elementary school education.

The Impact of Three Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Characteristics of Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments at a Tertiary Referral Centre

“…The levels of those are modulated by a plethora of factors, among them sex and age. 25 , 37 Hence, one may expect that patients admitted for RRD surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic had different demographic characteristics than those treated in the pre-COVID era. However, similar to previous studies, we did not find significant differences in the age and sex distribution of patients admitted during the pandemic and a year earlier.…”

Modifications of intravitreal injections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Before the appointment, patient education about the safety and hygiene measures in place may alleviate fear and improve adherence. [18][19][20][21] Body temperature and screening questions regarding travel history, occupation, contact, and cluster history (TOCC) should be checked immediately before patients enter the clinic. [12][13][14][15]17,20 In addition, Carnevali et al suggested that every patient should have a nasopharyngeal swab for COVID-19 screening before treatment and only those with negative results should be allowed to receive therapy.…”

Impact of COVID-19-associated anxiety on the adherence to intravitreal injection in patients with macular diseases a year after the initial outbreak

“… 14 Previous studies had suggested that anxiety and fear associated with COVID-19 were prevalent among patients with ophthalmic disorders, affecting health-seeking behaviour. 8 , 15 However, there had been limited assessment of patient perspectives during the third national lockdown. A year has passed since the initial outbreak, and this study revealed that the fear of contracting COVID-19 is still a crucial factor that could influence patients’ willingness to attend hospital appointments.…”