Dr.Rohan Basak

Dr. NARAYANAN BALAKRISHNAN, DR. GAYATRI SUNDARESWARAN, Dr. SUHAS PRABHAKAR, DR. C. ARAVIND BABU

Abstract

Aim:

To assess the quality of life in Glaucoma patients using a hybrid questionnaire consisting of a generic scale [(SF)-6], a vision-specific scale [(NEI VFQ)-25] and a glaucoma-specific scale (GQL)-15].

Materials and Methods:

Prospective case control analysis of 60 patients with glaucoma and aged matched controls. The hybrid questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of life in both groups. Data pertaining to QOF and severity obtained and analysed.

Results:

The SF-6 scale assessed the physical and psychological disability while the NEI VFQ-25 and GCL-15 assessed the functional disability. Significant changes (p<0.05) in quality of life were observed in study group and QOF worsened with disease severity (p<0.05). Conclusion: This novel hybrid tool used to evaluate the degree of physical, functional and psychological disability caused by glaucoma overcomes the fallacies of individual questionnaires providing a wholistic approach to glaucoma management.