Quality of Life in Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma at A Tertiary Eye Hospital in Kaduna, Nigeria: Glaucoma

Ndife Thelma I.; Abdullahi Sadiq M.; Olaniyi Segun B.; Raji Lukman A.; Mustapha Bature; Zakiyya Mahmoud

Authors

Ndife Thelma I. National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria
Abdullahi Sadiq M. National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria
Olaniyi Segun B. National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria
Raji Lukman A. National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria
Mustapha Bature National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria
Zakiyya Mahmoud National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Global burden of glaucoma remains high and will continue to rise. About 79.6 million are estimated to be affected, of whom 11.2 million will be bilaterally blind by the year 2020.1 Quality of Life is a reflection of a person’s overall wellbeing i.e. their ability to pursue a happy and fulfilled life. It includes dimensions of physical ability, mental health, general health perceptions, social functioning and independence. The Glaucoma Quality of Life (GQL-15) questionnaire is a 15-item subscale related to central/near vision, darkness/ glare, mobilizing, cooking/cleaning/self-care, and peripheral vision. Items were chosen based on correlation with severity of visual field loss. It is well validated with high internal consistency and test-retest reliability.1 The primary objective of the study was to assess the quality of life in patients with primary open angle glaucoma using the Glaucoma Quality of Life- 15 questionnaire.

Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study of patients with primary open angle glaucoma, attending the glaucoma clinic of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna. A total of 68 consecutive were recruited between February 2017 to May 2017. Glaucoma Quality of Life- 15 (GQL-15) questionnaire was administered to each patient. Participants were classified into three groups based on the severity of mean deviation (on Visua field testing) into mild, moderate and severe. Information on the occurrence and type of surgical procedure was also obtained from the patients’ medical records

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