Vision-related quality of life following glaucoma filtration surgery

Kazuyuki Hirooka,Akitaka Tsujikawa,Kaori Ukegawa,Eri Nitta

doi:10.1186/s12886-017-0466-7

Kazuyuki Hirooka, Akitaka Tsujikawa + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-017-0466-7

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Journal: BMC ophthalmology	Publication Date: May 12, 2017
Citations: 21	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Kagawa University

Abstract

BackgroundTo evaluate vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) following glaucoma filtration surgery.MethodsA total of 103 glaucoma patients scheduled to undergo glaucoma filtration surgery. Prior to and at three months after glaucoma filtration surgery, trabeculectomy or EX-PRESS, all patients completed the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). A total of 48 patients underwent combined cataract and filtration surgery. The clinical data collected pre- and postoperatively included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP).ResultsThe IOP decreased significantly from 19.0 ± 8.1 mmHg to 9.7 ± 3.9 mmHg (P < 0.001). Preoperative VFQ-25 composite score (65.8 ± 15.6) was similar to the postoperative score (67.8 ± 16.6). A significantly improved VFQ-25 composite score (pre: 63.2 ± 17.1, post: 67.7 ± 17.8; P = 0.001) was observed in the patients who underwent combined cataract and filtration surgery. There was a significant association between the BCVA changes in the operated eye and the changes in the VFQ-25 composite score (r = −0.315, P = 0.003).ConclusionsAlthough glaucoma filtration surgery by itself did not decrease the VR-QOL in glaucoma patients, there was significant improvement in the VR-QOL after the patients underwent combined cataract and glaucoma filtration surgery.

Highlights

To evaluate vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) following glaucoma filtration surgery
Previous studies have shown that intraocular pressure (IOP) is the major risk factor for developing glaucoma, with surgical intervention required for glaucoma patients who develop visual field (VF) deterioration or exhibit progression of optic nerve damage despite receiving maximal tolerable pharmacological IOP-lowering therapy, laser therapy, or both
Improvements in the VR-QOL may be observed in patients after they are able to decrease the number of required eye drops, the 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) does not sufficiently examine the inconvenience and cost for patients with glaucoma

Summary

Introduction

To evaluate vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) following glaucoma filtration surgery. Glaucoma is one of the principal causes of low vision and blindness globally. Glaucoma affects approximately 5% of Japanese adults aged 40 years and older [1]. Previous studies have shown that intraocular pressure (IOP) is the major risk factor for developing glaucoma, with surgical intervention required for glaucoma patients who develop visual field (VF) deterioration or exhibit progression of optic nerve damage despite receiving maximal tolerable pharmacological IOP-lowering therapy, laser therapy, or both. Among all of the incisional glaucoma procedures, trabeculectomy is the most commonly utilized surgery [2]. One other alternative that was designed and created to control the IOP is the EX-PRESS drainage device (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX). In 2001, the National Eye Institute developed the 25Item Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) [3].

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