Abstract

CARRASCO-FONT, C. et al. Influence of visual function on quality of life in patients with glaucoma. Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol [online]. 2008, vol.83, n.4, pp.249-256. ISSN 0365-6691.

Objective: To determine the relationship between visual function objective measures and the perceived quality of life in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Method: This was a cross-sectional study of quality of life. Patients required knowledge to understand the questionnaire. Period of study: April-May 2006. Setting: third level hospital in Madrid. Instrument: Visual Function Index (VF-14). Visual acuity, computerized perimetry and ophthalmological examination were all performed. Results: 120 questionnaires were distributed, 89.1% were returned completed. Cronbach’s alpha was used for data validity and reliability (0.88). 49 patients had ocular hypertension (HTO) and 71 had glaucoma (52.1% men and 47.9% women). The mean health status was 73.9 (SD 24.13; range: 0-100); HTO: 81.4 (SD: 16.3) and glaucoma: 68.69 (SD:22) (p=0.001). These results were significantly correlated with the quality of life and visual acuity (r=0.51), mean deviation (MD) r=0.35, education level (p=0.024), and sex (p=0.031). No significant differences were found in the older groups or for evolution time. Conclusions: Quality of life measures can be useful in the management of patients with glaucoma, as a moderate relationship was found between quality of life, visual acuity and visual field loss in such patients. The VF-14 seems to discriminate between glaucoma and ocular hypertensive patients.

Keywords : Glaucoma; visual function; quality of life; VF-14 test; visual field.

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