Vision-Related Quality of Life Among Glaucoma Patients in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to examine the impact of glaucoma severity and socioeconomic factors on perceived VRQoL among patients diagnosed with glaucoma in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on adult glaucoma patients attending the ophthalmology outpatient clinics at King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), and King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over the period from May 2022 to May 2023. The validated Arabic translation of the 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-39) was used to measure VRQoL. Multivariate linear regression are performed to examine the associated factors of VRQoL. Results: A total of 454 adult patients with glaucoma were included in this study. Mean age of patients was 60.8± 15.0 years. Most patients had severe glaucoma (42.5%), were female (54.2%), married (67.8%), unemployed (55.3%), with an income level of less than SAR 10,000 per month (35.9%), and about one-third had lower secondary education (32.8%). About 24.4% of them reported that they required care assistant and 31.9% of them live with care assistants. The mean of the overall composite score (OCS) of NEI VEQ-39 was 71.0 ± 21.3. Severity of glaucoma, education, employment status, needing care assistance, and having care assistance from others were significant factors of VRQoL in patients with glaucoma in Saudi Arabia. Conclusion: Perceived VRQoL among Saudi adult glaucoma patients is influenced by glaucoma severity, education, employment, and care needs. The study informs healthcare providers to enhance patient care and thereby improve patient QoL.