October 01, 2018
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Preperimetric glaucoma not associated with loss in quality of life

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Patients with preperimetric glaucoma did not show significant decline in patient-reported quality of life outcomes compared with healthy subjects.

Perspective from Carl H. Jacobsen, OD, FAAO

“Prevention of disability from glaucoma may benefit from early diagnosis during a ‘window of opportunity’ given by detecting structural loss before field damage,” according to researchers.

The cross-sectional study included 45 patients with preperimetric glaucoma, 102 patients with perimetric glaucoma and 81 healthy controls.

Researchers used the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) to define patient-reported quality of life.

Patients with preperimetric glaucoma had significantly thinner average retinal nerve fiber layer in the better eye compared with controls.

Researchers found no significant difference in NEI VFQ-25 scores between the preperimetric and control groups. There was a statistically significant difference in NEI VFQ-25 scores between patients with perimetric glaucoma and controls.

As previous research has suggested, “relatively early glaucomatous visual field losses may already be associated with disability if occurring in the better eye of the patient,” researchers wrote.

In contrast to those with perimetric damage, preperimetric glaucoma does not seem to be associated with loss in quality of life, researchers wrote. – by Abigail Sutton

Disclosures: Daga reported no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for all remaining authors’ financial disclosures.