Comparison of Impact of Monocular and Integrated Binocular Visual Fields on Vision-related Quality of Life.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) and mean deviation (MD) of the monocular visual field and integrated binocular visual field (IBVF).

Methods: One hundred eighty VFs (90 pairs) obtained from 90 patients with normal tension glaucoma were included. VRQOL was evaluated using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25). IBVF was calculated using maximal sensitivity and binocular summation and IBVF MD was calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the impact of IBVF deficit on VRQOL after adjusting for confounding factors. These results were compared to those of monocular visual field.

Results: Mean subject age was 59.4 years. The average MD of maximal sensitivity was significantly higher than that of binocular summation, the better eye, and the worse eye (-3.27, -3.78, -3.96, and -8.66 dB, respectively, P<0.001). Rasch-analyzed NEI VFQ-25 subscales and composite scores were significantly correlated with IBVF deficit. The impact that IBVF had on VRQOL was similar to that of the better eye (R of 0.431, 0.422, and 0.422 for MD of the better eye, binocular summation, and maximal sensitivity, respectively). In contrast, the worse eye showed the least correlation with VRQOL (0.363).

Conclusions: The impact of IBVF on VRQOL was similar to that of the better eye irrespective of integration method. Therefore, better eye MD could be a good indicator for VRQOL.