AMD is known to be associated with increased emotional distress and depression and reduced quality of life. Potential sources of stress for an individual who requires anti-VEGF may include facing the prospect of uncertain visual outcomes and severe, permanent vision loss. They also often experience rapid declines in vision which can have serious negative consequences for their daily lives. Additionally, an intraocular injection may, itself, be a source of stress. There is mixed evidence regarding the relationships among anxiety, depression, and anti-VEGF treatment stage in patients with AMD. The purpose of this study was to compare perceived stress and depression levels in patients undergoing anti-VEGF treatment for AMD to those with AMD who were only being monitored.
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