Abstract
Purpose :
To assess the association between trachoma and vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) in children and their families using the Pediatric Eye Questionnaire (PedEyeQ).
Methods :
A prospective case-control study including children less than 18 years of age. Participants comprised 113 children with trachoma and their parents versus 75 healthy age-, gender-, residence-matched children who served as controls and their parents. The trachoma was categorized into follicular trachoma (TF), trachoma intense (TI) and trachomatous scarring (TS).
Results :
Of 113 participants with trachoma, 53.1% were boys and 58.4% had rural residence. Child PedEyeQ domain scores were lower with trachoma versus controls and the greatest mean difference was in functional vision (10.3 points; P <0.001). Proxy PedEyeQ domain scores were lower with trachoma with the greatest difference in bothered by Eyes/Vision (14.3 points; P <0.001). Parent PedEyeQ domain scores were lower with trachoma; the greatest difference was in worry about child’s eye condition (9.1 points; P <0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the reduction in PedEyeQ domain scores was more severe in TS followed by TI (P<0.001). Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that 44 % of the PedEyeQ score could be predicted by the clinical grade of trachoma (P < 0.001). In the trachoma group, a higher clinical grade was associated with lower PedEyeQ domain scores in children, parents, and proxy (P<0.001). The parents' PedEyeQ scores were correlated with their children's PedEyeQ scores (R = 0.6; P<0.001).
Conclusions :
These findings suggest trachoma has a negative impact on VR-QOL for children and their parents, especially in children with TI/TS grading.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.