Effect of Changes of Visual Functions on the Quality of Life in Patients withGlaucoma

Overview

In a group of 38 patients with glaucoma (76 eyes) the authors evaluated therelationship between objective clinical parameters and the subjective evaluationof visual functions. As to objective clinical measurements in every patient thevisual acuity and visual field were assessed. For subjective evaluation of visualfunctions the VF-14 test was used. The patients evaluated also, using the SF-36test, their health status and quality of life in general.The results revealed a relationship between advanced changes of the visual fieldin glaucoma patients and a poorer subjective evaluation of the quality of visualfunctions. The generally oriented SF-36 test almost did not correlate with indica-tors of deterioration of visual functions. The specific VF-14 test correlated weaklywith serious changes of the visual field and seems to be more useful for our needs.The results persuaded the authors on the necessity to create a new test for thesubjective evaluation of visual functions specifically for patients with glaucoma.From reflections on therapeutic procedures it is apparent that it is essential toevaluate subjective indicators of the quality of life.

Key words:
quality of life, glaucoma, VF14, SF 36