Structure-Function Relationship and Vision-Related Quality of Life in Glaucoma Secondary to Anterior Uveitis: Comparison with Open Angle Glaucoma

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the structure-function characteristics and vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL) in uveitic glaucoma (UG) compared with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Method: The study included 69 patients with UG and 138 patients with primary open angle glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma. A 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) was used to evaluate the patients' VR-QoL. The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) was measured using optical coherence tomography, and the integrated visual field (IVF) was determined using the best location method. Results: There were no significant differences in the binocular IVF and mean deviation (MD) of the affected eye between the OAG and UG group, whereas the average RNFLT was significant thinner in the OAG group (p = 0.008). The patients with UG showed a significantly lower composite score and five subscales of the VFQ-25, compared with those with OAG (p < 0.05, for all, general linear model). Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that the composite score showed the strongest associations with the whole IVF (beta = 1.240, p < 0.001) in the OAG group, whereas in the UG group, a significant association was seen only with the inferior VF of the affected eye (beta = 0.596, p = 0.038). Conclusions: The eyes with UG exhibited distinctive structure-function characteristics and worse VR-QoL that differentiated them from OAG eyes.

Automated summary

The study aims to compare the structure-function characteristics and vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL) between uveitic glaucoma (UG) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Results show no significant differences in binocular integrated visual fields (IVF) and mean deviation (MD) between the two groups, but the average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) is significantly thinner in the OAG group. UG patients exhibit lower composite scores and scores on five subscales of the VFQ-25 compared to OAG patients.