Purpose: To determine the health-related quality of life of patients sustaining ocular injuries prognosticated to be visually disabling and to correlate baseline characteristics with quality of life indices. Methods: A prospective, questionnaire-based health-related quality of life study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines among 33 patients prognosticated to have visually-disabling ocular injuries using the ocular trauma score (OTS). Clinical and demographic data were collected and quality of life indices were measured using the EuroQoL five-dimension five-level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire at baseline and on three subsequent follow-up visits. Data was analyzed by OTS and type of injury. Baseline characteristics were described and correlated with quality of life indices. Results: Of the 33 participants recruited at baseline, 26 were able to return to at least 1 of the 3 recommended follow-up visits. The median age of study participants upon admission was 35 years old with 31 (94%) being males. The patients were admitted at a median of 4 days from injury. Thirty-one (31) or 94% of the participants sustained open globe injuries, with 14 (42%) being penetrating lacerations and 10 (30%) classified as having intraocular foreign bodies. Most patients reported pain and discomfort (82%), problems in usual activities (70%), and anxiety and depression (70%) at baseline. Those with an OTS of 1 had lower median EQ index score (0.447) and EQ visual analog scale (VAS) score (56). A diagnosis of globe rupture was associated with lower median EQ index scores (0.448) and EQ VAS scores (56). EQ index and VAS scores were lowest at baseline. A statistically significantly increase in EQ VAS was seen from baseline to the first month of follow-up (p=0.01). Using univariate regression analysis, no statistically significant correlation between baseline characteristics and baseline quality of life indices was identified. Conclusion Health-related quality of life was lowest shortly after admission for management of ocular trauma and significantly improved at 1 month. Most patients reported pain and discomfort, problems in usual activities, and anxiety and depression. None of the clinical characteristics were shown to be significantly associated with quality of life indices, including visual acuity.
Eye Injuries ; Quality of Life