To report the results of the 2015 questionnaire survey of current trends and practice patterns in the treatment of vitreoretinal diseases, which was conducted by the Korean Retina Society (KRS).
MethodsIn October 2015, members of the KRS participated in a survey of current trends and practice patterns in the treatment of vitreoretinal diseases. This survey was comprised of 68 multiple choice and dichotomy questions.
ResultsOne hundred eleven (41%) members participated in this survey. Most respondents (42%) had begun their vitreoretinal subspecialty ≤7 years previously, 32% had practiced for 8-15 years, and 26% for 16 years or more. The preferred primary treatment for newly diagnosed wet-type age-related macular degeneration was ranibizumab or aflibercept, and most clinicians (68%) favored a pro re nata regimen. Seventy percent of respondents treated injection-related endophthalmitis using a combination of immediate vitrectomy and intravitreal antibiotic injection. Bevacizumab was the most commonly (78-87%) preferred first-line therapy for macular edema (ME) secondary to central retinal vein occlusion or branch retinal vein occlusion. When ME did not respond to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment, most respondents (91%) switched patients to dexamethasone implant or triamcinolone acetonide. Eighty-four percent of the respondents performed scleral buckling during retinal detachment surgery in fewer than 40% of cases. Also, most respondents (96%) prescribed an antibiotic eye drop after, or before and after intravitreal drug injection.
ConclusionsThis survey reflected the recent trends and practice patterns in the treatment of vitreoretinal diseases in Korea.