[Influence of visual function on quality of life in patients with glaucoma].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between visual function objective measures and the perceived quality of life in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of quality of life. Patients required knowledge to understand the questionnaire.


METHODS
April-May 2006.


METHODS
third level hospital in Madrid.


METHODS
Visual Function Index (VF-14). Visual acuity, computerized perimetry and ophthalmological examination were all performed.


RESULTS
120 questionnaires were distributed, 89.1% were returned completed. Cronbach's alpha was used for data validity and reliability (0.88). 49 patients had ocular hypertension (HTO) and 71 had glaucoma (52.1% men and 47.9% women). The mean health status was 73.9 (SD 24.13; range: 0-100); HTO: 81.4 (SD: 16.3) and glaucoma: 68.69 (SD:22) (p=0.001). These results were significantly correlated with the quality of life and visual acuity (r=0.51), mean deviation (MD) r=0.35, education level (p=0.024), and sex (p=0.031). No significant differences were found in the older groups or for evolution time.


CONCLUSIONS
Quality of life measures can be useful in the management of patients with glaucoma, as a moderate relationship was found between quality of life, visual acuity and visual field loss in such patients. The VF-14 seems to discriminate between glaucoma and ocular hypertensive patients.
Carrasco-Font
C
C
Hospital Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, España. ccarrasco@fhalcorcon.es
Lorenzo-Martínez
S
S
Gili-Manzanaro
P
P
Arias-Puente
A
A
Andrés-Alba
Y
Y
Matilla-Rodríguez
A
A
Ortigueira
J A
JA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014785:Vision, Ocular