Correlation between visual field index (VFI) and quality of life in glaucoma patients

Abstract

AbstractPurpose: The goal of glaucoma treatment is to avoid progression, to preserve vision and to maintain a sustainable quality of life (QoL). Aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between QoL and visual field index (VFI).Methods: Cross‐sectional, monocentric study. Quality of life was examined with the 25‐item National Eye Institute‐Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI‐VFQ‐25) and the Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS). The visual field was performed with the Humphrey Field Analyser, with SITA fast 24‐2 program. The variables considered were: age, gender, comorbidities, years at visit (at diagnosis and duration of the illness), treatment and related active principles (n. of bottles and n. instillation and/or previous surgery), IOP min and max, visual acuity min and max. The analysis has been performed on both the better and the worse eye. Statistical analysis: linear regression univariate analysis and multivariate analyses.Results: 193 patients (103 females) have been enrolled. The mean age (±SD) was 71 ± 10 ys, most patients presented hypertension (109, 62%) as main comorbidity. Patients were mostly on monotherapy (176, 45%). The mean value of the VFI was 81 ± 26, the total mean of the NEI‐VFQ was 80 ± 18, and the GSS total score was 77 ± 2. The linear regression analysis of the association between the variables and NEI VFQ‐25 found relation to: age (r = −0.29, p = 0.016); years of illness (r = −0.32, p = 0.02); visual acuity (r = 2.03, p < 0.001); IOP (r = 1.12, p = 0.002); number of previous surgeries (r = −3.93, p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis found relation to: gender (r = 5.13, p = 0.02), VA (r = 3.16, p < 0.001) previous surgeries (r = −1.8, p = 0.03). Regarding GSS, the linear regression analysis found relation to visual acuity; VFI, previous surgeries and number of instillations. A higher VFI has a positive impact on QoL questionnaires.Conclusions: The study demonstrated the correlation between the VFI and the QoL, supporting a role of VFI as a metric instrument in the follow up.