Abstract
ABSTRACTIntroductionQuality of life (QoL) is a broad concept that is affected in a complex way by many factors. Healthcare interventions are targeted now days to improve quality of life of affected individuals. Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible blindness throughout the world and affects patient's quality of life in several ways. In present study, we aim to evaluate and quantify vision related quality of life in glaucoma patients in a tertiary care hospital setting.Materials and methodsVision related quality of life was evaluated in glaucoma patients using GQL-15 questionnaire, which compares the subjective performance of various vision related tasks in these patients. Fifty diagnosed cases of glaucoma and fifty healthy volunteers were included in the study. In both these groups, standard tests for visual function were done and both were assigned to complete the questionnaire. GQL-15 questionnaire includes 15 items divided between 4 factors pertaining to visual disability: central and near vision, peripheral vision, dark adaptation and glare, and outdoor mobility. Higher scores indicate greater difficulty in performing vision-related activities and poorer QoL.ResultsA total of 100 cases were enrolled out of which 50 were diagnosed glaucoma cases and 50 were controls. Almost three fourth of glaucoma patients, i.e., 72% were diagnosed as chronic open angle glaucoma where 24% were angle closure patients and rest 4% were normal tension glaucoma patients. The mean GQL score of glaucoma cases was 26.00 ± 10.84 and for controls it was 15.02 ± 0.14 (p value < 0.05). All subscale scores also showed a uniform rise in their value as we move from mild to severe cases thereby concluding that all visual parameters worsen with increase in severity pattern of disease.ConclusionsAs glaucoma patients have reduced vision related quality of life, so every effort should be made to preserve visual functions in these patients. Many activities that define independence and productivity in society require good vision and hence one of most devastating consequences of advancing visual impairment in glaucoma is progressive loss of independence thereby affecting patients quality of life.How to cite this articleDhawan M, Hans T, et al. Evaluation of Vision-related Quality of Life in Patients with Glaucoma: A Hospital-based Study. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2019;13(1):9–15.
Highlights
Quality of life (QoL) is a broad concept that is affected in a complex way by many factors
Even patients in the early stages of glaucoma experience deficits in QoL associated with self-perceived visual dysfunction
Quality of life measures are increasingly recognized as important outcomes in understanding the impact of a disease and evaluating the effectiveness of healthcare interventions.[20]It is important to evaluate the relative importance of symptoms or disabilities to better understand the effect of a disease in a patient’s QoL
Summary
Quality of life (QoL) is a broad concept that is affected in a complex way by many factors. Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible blindness throughout the world and affects patient’s quality of life in several ways. Fifty diagnosed cases of glaucoma and fifty healthy volunteers were included in the study In both these groups, standard tests for visual function were done and both were assigned to complete the questionnaire. The term quality of life (QoL) is defined by the World Health Organization as the subjective perception of well-being and wholeness.[1]It is a broad concept that is affected in a complex way by many factors. The irony is that this leading cause of irreversible blindness can largely be brought into control most importantly by timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and constant ongoing monitoring It seems attainable in the developing world, glaucoma has proven itself a difficult adversary.
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