Background/Aim. Impaired vision resulting from glaucoma can have deleterious
effects on both physical and mental health. This study aims at examining the
adverse impacts of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), primary angle closure
glaucoma (PACG) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG) on the quality of life
(QOL). Methods. This research, designed as a cross-sectional study, included
102 patients treated for POAG, PACG, or PEG. The patients were divided into
three groups based on the type of glaucoma they suffered from and were
monitored for 6 months. The data on the QOL were collected with National Eye
Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire 25 (NEI VFQ-25). The total NEI
VFQ-25 scores were calculated for each group. Results. The general vision
was significantly lower in the PEG group than in the remaining groups (PEG
61.1 ? 12.6, POAG 71.6 ? 17.9, PACG 75.7 ? 11.6), p < 0.001. This group also
demonstrated the least favorable levels of general health, eye pain,
distance vision, social functioning, peripheral vision, disability in daily
activities, and dependence of others. The highest value of near vision was
recorded for the POAG group (76.2 ? 21.2). The highest mean value in
glaucomatous visual field defect was recorded in PEG group (14.5 ? 3.6 dB).
Conclusion. This research demonstrates that the quality of life is
significantly lower in patients suffering from PEG compared to those who
suffer from POAG and PACG. In PEG patients, the lowest scores were recorded
for general health, eye pain, distance vision, and social and everyday
functioning. The results indicate that serious measures should be taken in
order to improve the quality of life of glaucoma patients.