Patients’ awareness and presenting symptoms at the onset of neovascular age-related macular degeneration in two distinct European cohorts

Purpose: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a common ocular condition in the elderly population. If left untreated, it can lead to significant visual impairment. Prompt detection of the disease achieves better therapeutic outcomes. The goal of this study is to ascertain the presenting symptoms of nAMD from two different population groups. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to two groups of patients with nAMD who attended intravitreal injection services in Milan and Dublin. Four age-subgroups were considered: 60–69, 70–79, 80–89, > 90 years. Patients completed an interview questionnaire regarding their symptoms at the time of diagnosis with nAMD. The patients were divided into two groups; Group A consisted of Italian patients and group B comprised Irish patients. Symptom differences between the groups were compared using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 237 patients with nAMD were included in the study, with 136 in group A and 101 in group B. The most common age-subgroup was 80–89 years (49.8%); the majority 129(54.4%) patients were females. The most frequently reported symptom at the time of nAMD onset was distortion (n = 105, 44.3%). Notably, 50 patients (21.1%) were asymptomatic. The Irish patients were less aware of the onset of the symptoms of nAMD compared with their Italian counterparts(p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study shows that 21.1% of patients with nAMD were asymptomatic at the onset of their condition. Symptom awareness was higher among the Italian cohort compared to the Irish group. Patients at risk for conversion to nAMD should attend regular OCT monitoring rather than relying on subjective symptoms alone.