Abstract
Purpose :
To determine the association between functional measures of reading speed and driving with self-reported quality of life (QOL) in Glaucoma patients.
Methods :
Participants with a diagnosis of glaucoma or suspected glaucoma, aged 60 years or older were prospectively enrolled in this observational study. Glaucoma Quality of Life was assessed using a standard questionnaire (GQL-15) and Rasch analyzed to create an ability score. Reading speed was measured using the MNRead charts. Maximum reading speed in words per minute was calculated using nonlinear mixed effects models. Driving cessation, driving limitation and vision attributable driving limitation were reported by study participants as a part of a questionnaire. The association between reading speed and driving metrics with glaucoma quality of life score was assessed using linear regression models. Models controlled for age, race, gender, polypharmacy, comorbidities, and integrated visual field sensitivities.
Results :
Of the 245 participants included, 51% were males and 29% identified as Black. The Mean age was 71±7.6 years. Those who reported not driving had significantly worse GQL (beta=1.07 logits, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46-1.68, p=0.001) as compared to those who reported driving. Those who reported driving with 3 and 4 or more limitations also had significantly worse quality of life than those driving without any limitations (beta=0.76 logits, 95% CI: 0.02-1.50, p=0.04 and beta=1.15 logit, 95% CI: 0.52-1.78, p<0.001, respectively). Further, those who reported driving with 1 and 2 or more vision attributable limitations had significantly worse quality of life than those driving without any vision related limitations (beta=0.91 logits, 95% CI: 0.24-1.58, p=0.008 and beta=1.73 logit, 95% CI: 0.85-2.62, p<0.001, respectively). On the contrary, reading speed did not appear to affect GQL (p=0.64).
Conclusions :
Driving appears to have a strong impact on the quality of life for patients with glaucoma. It has a particularly strong impact on those who report vision-related limitations. Exploring this relationship further may lead to helpful information for rehabilitation of those living with visual impairment.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.