[Quality of life in glaucoma patients].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of life for outpatients with glaucoma. This was a pilot prospective study for 6 month (January-June 2008) for 50 patients (34 men and 16 women). They were examined in department of ophthalmology Sf. Spiridon hospital lasi-Romania. These patients received a medical (16 cases), surgical (26 cases) or a combination of treatment (8 patients). We used questionnaires with 25 items: (1) General and ocular health, (2) Difficulties concerning certains activities, (3) Acceptance of the treatment, (4) Anxiety, 5 Trust in medical care.

Results: The average age was 56.6 +/- 15.56 years (limit 16-92 years old). For the first group of items 31 subjects were unsatisfied (60%) with their health and 78% acused eye pain and 70% considered them vulnerable. The second group: 68% can not read small letter, 70% can not recognized the people and varied things afoot, 66% need more time to do simple tasks, 76% can not manage in an unfamiliar environment, 36% fill that they find more help amoung people. The third group: 84% take the treatment, 94% prefer to take their drops one time/day, 40% can not administrate correctly their treatment. For Anxiety group the answer were: 54% worried about their intraocular pressure, 58% think about a surgical intervention, 66% have insomnia, 74% are concerning about blinding. The last group: 76% believe that a regular visit at the ophthalmologist helps, 82% follow the medical prescriptions, 70% considered that the treatment is effective and 66% are satisfied for the information received about their disease.

Conclusions: Evaluation of life quality are a very good instrument for glaucoma patients to improve the assesment for different types of treatment, especially pharmacological drugs.