Quality of life for glaucoma patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Visual impairments are a serious problem due to the limitations that they impose in everyday life and the loss of independence. AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze the way the demographic variables (gender, age, place of residence, education, marital status and employment status) affect the quality of life; the way the quality of life changes and which activities are affected by the impairment of the visual functions. MATERIAL AND ETHODS: 54 individuals with proven glaucoma and permanent low vision have been surveyed (assessment criteria of the impairment degree is the correction of the better eye). With a view to do this we used LWQOL Wolffson J S 2000. The questionnaire contains four chapters: demographic, general diseases, ophthalmological status and psychometric section including four dimensions (Distance, mobility and illumination vision; Adaptation; Reading and fine work and Everyday activities). We have determined the reliability of the questionnaire with the help of the Cronbach`s alpha coefficient. RESULTS: The average quality of life score is 81,5±17,4. The quality of life impairs with ageing (94,5±13.6 for individuals above 80 years of age). Although the difference in terms of place of residence is insignificant, the worst quality of life is shown by the village residents (82,8±13,1). For the married individuals a higher quality of life is observed contrary to those who live alone. The lowest quality of life is observed for the individuals who live with their children (87,8±19,7). The low educational degree correlates with a low quality of life. Regarding the employment status the worst indicators are observed for the retired individuals followed by those who have retired due to an illness. The most affected activities are those related to illumination, mobility and fine work. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life impairment for glaucoma patients is directly associated to the demographic indicators and the visual impairment degree. The low percentage of usage of auxiliary means (7,40%) by the questioned patients shows low motivation and insufficient level of information.