Evaluation of effect of covıd-19 pandemic on anatomical and functional changes and vision-related quality of life in patients with glaucoma
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, vol.43, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 43
- Publication Date: 2023
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103705
- Journal Name: Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, MEDLINE
- Keywords: Covid-19, Glaucoma, NEI-VFQ-25, Vision-related quality of life, OCT
- Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background: To evaluate anatomical and functional changes and vision-related quality of life in patients whose glaucoma follow-up was disrupted by the COVID-19 restrictions. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 100 patients who were followed up at the glaucoma unit. For the patients whose follow-up evaluations were postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions, visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, visual field parameters [mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), and visual field index (VFI)], and the National Institute of Ophthalmology Visual Function Scale-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) score were evaluated based on the measurements performed at the last visit before COVID-19 (V1) and at the first visit after the removal of COVID-19 restrictions (V2). Results: The mean age of the patients was 61.1 ± 13.4 years, the mean follow-up time was 11.4 ± 4.2 months, and the mean interval between the last two visits was 7.2 ± 2.7 months. In the evaluation of the last two visits, VA was lower and IOP was higher at V2, and there was progression in the MD, PSD, and VFI values (p<0.05, for all). RNFL thickness progression was seen in 13–23% of the patients. According to the NEI-VFQ-25 evaluation, except for peripheral vision and near vision, all the remaining subscale scores and the total score were lower at V2 (p<0.05, for all). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the anatomical and functional changes and vision-related quality of life together in patients with glaucoma.