Linz MO, et al. - Between December 2015 and January 2017 experts investigated preference values that individuals with vitreomacular interface abnormalities (VIAs) assign to their visual state and preferences of potential treatments. Similar preference values were brought to light among 3 types of VIAs. A majority of the subjects with these conditions would be enthusiastic about undergoing vitrectomy or an injection to treat it. This was possibly attributed to the condition’s effect on visual functioning, although a slight preference for vitrectomy could be noted at this time.

Methods

• Researchers carried out this cross-sectional one-time questionnaire study between December 2015 and January 2017.
• The enrollment of consisted of 213 patients from tertiary care referral centers in Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Inclusion criteria constituted patients with symptomatic VIA diagnosed within 1 year of data collection, visual acuity less than 20/20 OU, and symptoms ascribed to VIAs.
• Data analysis was conducted from January 2017 to November 2017.
• The primary end points included overall mean preference value that individuals with VIA assigned to their visual state and patients’ preferences for potential treatments.
• Grading was conducted of the preference values on a scale from 0 to 1, with 0 indicating death and 1 indicating perfect health with perfect vision.

Results

• Among the 213 included patients, 139 (65.3%) were women, and the mean (SD) age was 65.6 (7.7) years.
• As per the data, diagnoses included epiretinal membrane (n = 100 [46.9%]), macular hole (n = 99 [46.5%]), and vitreomacular traction (n = 14 [6.6%]).
• The mean (SD) vision preference value was found to be 0.76 (0.15), without differences identified among the 3 VIA types.
• A majority of the enrollees were enthusiastic about vitrectomy (150 [71.1%]) vs intravitreal injection (120 [56.9%]) (difference, 14.2%; 95% CI, 5.16-23.3; P=.002).
• As per the adjusted analyses, a connection was disclosed between enthusiasm for vitrectomy with fellow eye visual acuity (odds ratio, 10.99; 95% CI, 2.01-59.97; P=.006) and better-seeing eye visual acuity (odds ratio, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.001-0.66; P=.03).
• Findings unveiled that the overall enthusiasm for treatment correlated with fellow eye visual acuity (odds ratio, 7.22; 95% CI, 1.29-40.40; P=.02).
• Maximum subjects (171 [81.0%]) appeared to be enthusiastic about surgery, injection, or both.