Assessment of psychosocial impact of primary glaucoma and its effect on quality of life of patients in Western India

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of primary glaucoma of varying severity and duration on psychosocial functioning and quality of life of patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was carried on 200 patients attending the glaucoma clinic of a tertiary care hospital in western India. After obtaining approval from the institutional ethics committee, written informed consent was taken. All patients underwent a thorough ophthalmic examination. Those with primary glaucoma were classified as per Hodapp–Parrish–Anderson criteria and asked to respond to the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEIVFQ)-25 questionnaire. Responses were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Overall mean NEIVFQ 25 composite score was 74.4 ± 18.6. Mean scores were 87.0 (SD 7.2) for mild, 75.9 (SD 8.1) for moderate, and 47.0 (SD 13.7) for severe glaucoma groups. Lower scores were associated with males. Driving (62.2, SD 34.6) and ocular pain (63.5, SD 18.7) were maximally affected while color vision (90.1, SD 18.7) and social health (86.7, SD 20.1) were least affected. The duration of treatment had no effect on mean composite scores with impaired scores seen even in newly diagnosed cases. Age of the patient negatively correlated with NEIVFQ 25 composite score. CONCLUSION: With disease progression, the psychosocial functioning of the patients is negatively affected. This effect is irrespective of treatment duration and newly diagnosed cases can have impaired Quality of life scores. Quantification of psychosocial status along with education and counseling for all patients may play a definitive role in customizing treatment and providing patients with a better quality of Life.