Psychological Impact of Glaucoma: Does it Affect Compliance and Disease Progression?

Objective – To identify the association between the psychological variables, namely coping mechanisms and perceived social support, with adherence to medical treatment and progression of glaucoma. Study Design – Prospective Cohort Study Methods – A group of 113 glaucoma patients were asked to answer questionnaires to assess their coping and social support system. These patients were then analyzed for visual field progression with 2 year data. Results – The predominant coping mechanism in 86.7% was problem-oriented coping and mean score for social support was maximum for family. Patients with history of glaucoma surgery had higher scores for emotion-oriented coping (p value – 0.016). Subjects with a family history of glaucoma had higher mean score for friends as a social support system (p value – 0.049). Adherence to anti-glaucoma medications (AGMs) was least and progression of glaucoma was maximum in those with disease duration of 3-5 years. Conclusion –Family history of glaucoma and a history of glaucoma surgery have a psychological impact on a patient’s adaptation to the disease. No correlation was found between the psychological variables and disease progression. However, adherence is lowest and progression of glaucoma highest, 3-5 years post diagnosis of disease.