Purpose. To assess and compare the functional disability in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) using the glaucoma quality of life-15 questionnaire (GQL-15).And to evaluate their quality of life.
Methods. 175 patients with POAG and 175 subjects with age- and sex-matched (control group) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Glaucoma quality of Life−15 questionnaire was administered in local Egyptian language via interviews after doing standard tests for visual function for both groups.
Results. The median GQL-15 score in the glaucoma cases (34) was significantly higher (indicating more functional disability) than the controls (17). All subscale scores also showed a regular rise in their value as the glaucoma increased in severity from mild to severe. There were visual disability in certain tasks related to glare and dark adaptation which appeared to be early affected during the course of glaucoma. Activities demanding peripheral vision, near and central
vision and outdoor mobility affected later but were more significant with the progression of the disease.
Conclusion. Glaucoma patients have many functional disabilities with challenges in performing many tasks which reflects on their independence and productivity. This knowledge can be helpful to learn the newly diagnosed and to increase the adherence to treatment aiming to guard against the disease progression; also it suggests adaptations to the patient's environment for better quality of life.
Key words: glaucoma, quality of life, Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 Questionnaire, GQL-15.