Quality of Life in the Group of Patients with Chronic Eye Disease

To assess vision related quality of life and determinants in patients afflicted with chronic eye disease.

In this analytical cross-sectional study, consecutive sampling was performed at Noor Eye Hospital between 2008 and 2009. A valid and standard 39-item visual functioning questionnaire (National Eye Institute visual functioning questionnaire, NEI-VFQ 39) was completed. The questionnaire consists of 11 domains related to vision and one domain about general health. The total score range from zero (0) to 100, where a higher score reflects better vision related quality of life. The independent t-test, pearson correlation coefficient as well as simple and multiple linear regression models were employed for statistical analysis.

The mean overall score in patient and control groups were 54.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 57.3 - 71.8] and 96.0 [95% CI: 88.2-103.9], respectively. Patients with cataracts had the highest score (64.6; 95%CI: 57.3 - 71.8) and those with visual acuity of 20/70 or worse showed lowest scores (41.9; 95%CI: 30.7 - 53.1). Age (P=0.006) and education level (0.001) were associated with quality of life score.

Based on our study findings, it could be concluded that low vision patients with a visual acuity of 20/70 or worse hardly received half of the total scores. Diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataract stand in ascending rank order. The relatively lower scores as compared to results from other countries warrant further research into the causes of such differences.