A recent study confirmed that progressively greater visual field defects lead to corresponding decreases in quality of life among glaucoma patients. The study included 96 patients with primary glaucoma who were divided into five groups according to their type of binocular integrated visual field (BVF) defect:

• Group A: mild defect in binocular eyes
• Group B: mild defect in one eye and moderate or advanced defect in the other
• Group C: moderate, nonoverlapping defect in both eyes
• Group D: moderate, overlapping defect in binocular eyes
• Group E: severe defect in both eyes

The researchers conducted visual acuity and visual field testing, as well as the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 Questionnaire (GQL-15). They then compared changes and correlations of visual field index values and quality of life scores among the five patient groups.

Group A demonstrated the best BVF index and quality of life measures. Group B was superior to Groups C and D but had worse peripheral vision glare and dark adaptation. There were no significant differences between Groups C and D in terms of BVF index, but glare and dark adaptation were better in Group C. Group E had the worst BVF index and quality of life scores.

Overall, the researchers noted, “BVF index and decibel values were negatively correlated with GQL-15 scores and positively correlated with patients’ quality of life.” They concluded that BVF accurately reflects glaucoma patients’ visual function and that higher BVF indices point to better quality of life.