A narrative review of the psychological impact of intravitreal injections

Summary

Review Psychological impact of intravitreal injections: Anxiety is multi-factorial including lack of education about procedure, familiarity with injections, and pain.

Abstract

Intravitreal injections (IVI) are a common, effective therapy for multiple retinal diseases although can be associated with significant psychological effects that reduce adherence to treatment. We reviewed the psychological impacts of IVI to characterise their causes, consequences, and solutions. We searched the electronic databases PubMed, OVID Medline, OVID Embase, Google Scholar and Cochrane Reviews and retrieved 1252 peer-reviewed articles. Thirty-four articles were ultimately included and analysed. The majority of retrieved articles pertained to anxiety; however, other impacts were also identified with limited available evidence regarding depression. Pre-procedural anxiety was generally mild to moderate and reported in 17.3-85 % of patients undergoing IVI. Key contributing factors to anxiety included a lack of patient education, pain and discomfort during the procedure, and travel and waiting times. Potential strategies to reduce anxiety included person-centred education, alternatives to speculum use, reducing clinic wait times, and music or handholding during the procedure. Patients experience significant anxiety from IVI, owing to multiple factors, including lack of education about the procedure, lack of procedural familiarity, and pain, which require a patient-centred approach to addressing that considers individual needs and preferences. Little data pertain to non-anxiety effects of IVI, and thus further research may identify additional barriers to adherence and their solutions.