The psychology of a glaucoma patient

Abstract

Modern multicenter studies of psychological features proper to glaucoma patients reveal the presence of physiological and psychological issues associated with the condition. A high level of anxiety causes a clinically significant increase of intraocular pressure. The incidence of depression and anxiety in older people with visual impairments is twice as high as in older people in general. Damaged visual field has an even more adverse effect on the quality of life than deterioration in visual acuity, especially when the visual field defect is localized in the lower hemisphere. The failure to comply with the prescribed antihypertensive regimen may be due to patients' disbelief in a successful outcome of the disease, a low level of trust towards the doctor, poor education, low monthly income, side effects of local antihypertensive therapy, the type of drugs used and their amount.

Keywords

• primary open-angle glaucoma
• depression
• anxiety
• quality of life