Abstract
Purpose :
Refractive errors are associated with structural and functional changes in the eye. While previous studies have assessed the impact of refractive error on quality of life, the association between the objective structural and functional measures of refractive error and quality of life has not been studied. This study aims to determine the association between clinical measures and quality of life in refractive error.
Methods :
Fifty participants with corrected refractive error (spectacles, contact lens or refractive surgery) between the ages of 18 and 35 were recruited for this cross-sectional pilot study. Best corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) were measured for all participants. Measurements of, axial length, corneal curvature and anterior chamber depth were obtained using the IOL Master, and macular thickness was measured using the optical coherence tomography. Vision related quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction questionnaire (QIRC).
Results :
The mean age of the participants was 24.37±3.41 years (68% females). The mean spherical equivalent was -2.74± 1.87 D and the mean QIRC score was 44.07±6.61 logits. The QIRC based quality of life was significantly associated with axial length (r2=0.16, p=0.004) and SER (r2=0.12, p=0.013). A 1 mm increase in axial length reduced the QIRC scores by 2.41 logits and a one dioptre increase in SER caused a 1.03 logits reduction in QIRC scores. None of the other measured parameters were significantly correlated with the QIRC scores.
Conclusions :
Quality of life positively correlated with spherical equivalent and negatively with axial length. Clinicians and researchers can use clinical measures to predict the quality of life in refractive error. Future studies should confirm these results in larger populations.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.