Patient Preferences on Same-day Bilateral Intravitreal Dexamethasone Injections

Intravitreal injections with dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®) provide a reasonable and long-lasting treatment option in the cases of diabetic macular edema, as well as macular edema resulting from retinal vein occlusion and noninfectious posterior uveitis. During the course of these diseases, both eyes may be affected and may need therapy. The treatment burden associated with frequent medical visits associated with treatments in both eyes and follow-ups can be significant for patients and caregivers alike. Same-session bilateral ophthalmic procedures have proven safe and cost-effective, with patients consistently expressing a strong preference for this approach, particularly in the cases of cataract surgery and anti-VEGF injections when given the choice. The safety profile of same-day bilateral dexamethasone injections aligns with those of unilateral injections.

This patient preference study will focus on addressing the practical aspects of same-day bilateral dexamethasone injections from the patients' perspective and aims to explore the impact of personal and socio-economic variables, and the overall perspective of patients on choosing same-day bilateral dexamethasone injections. Understanding and mitigating the challenges patients face can lead to a more patient-friendly and resource-saving approach. Based on the outcomes of this study, considerations may be made to introduce bilateral injections at our department, potentially optimizing patient experience and clinical resources.

The aim of the study is to establish patient preferences regarding the administration of intravitreal dexamethasone implant injections in both eyes on the same day, in the same session and to identify key motivating and limiting factors from the patients' perspective.