Quality of Life of Patients with Glaucoma in Slovakia

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify and analyse the quality of life of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) based on their visus and peripheral vision. Methods: Our study was observational in nature; it was a cross-sectional study. In total, 119 patients with POAG were included in a causal-comparative character, ex post facto research design. The authors collected data using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) and World Health Organization Quality of Life abbreviated version questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) tools. Results: Only patients with POAG that were over 18 years of age and had no other ocular or chronic illnesses were included. The mean duration of glaucoma was 8.77 (SD ± 5.63) years. Binocular disability was observed in 68.0% of patients. Using WHOQOL-BREF, there were significant differences found in the better-eye-vision group in psychological (p < 0.001) and environment (p < 0.001) domains. In the worse-eye-vision group, significant differences were found in physical health (p < 0.001), environment (p < 0.001), and quality related to health (p < 0.001) domains. Using NEI VFQ-25, there were significant differences found (p = 0.000) in all domains except subscale driving. Conclusion: Quality of life of patients with visual impairment is significantly lower in comparison to that of patients without a visual impairment.

Keywords: NEI VFQ-25; WHOOQL-BREF; perimeter; primary glaucoma with open iris-corneal angle; quality of life; visus.