Association between Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Health-related Quality of Life
10.52725/aocl.2026.25.1.19
- Author:
Hyeon Gyu CHOI
1
;
Kyoung Lae KIM
;
Youn Joo CHOI
;
Sung Pyo PARK
;
Kyeong Ik NA
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:
Annals of Optometry and Contact Lens
2026;25(1):19-25
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Purpose:This study aimed to evaluate the association between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (pRNFLT) and health-related quality of life in Korean adults.
Methods:A total of 4,614 adults aged 40 years or older from the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in this study. Average pRNFLT was categorized into the thicker eye, thinner eye, and the mean value of both eyes. Complex sample ordinal logistic regression was performed for the five items of the EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) and the eight items of the Health-related Quality of Life Instrument with 8 Items (HINT-8), while complex sample linear regression was used for the EQ-5D index.
Results:In multivariable analysis adjusted for age and sex, a decrease in thinner eye-pRNFLT was significantly associated with ‘usual activities’ and ‘anxiety/depression’ in the EQ-5D. Furthermore, a decrease in both thinner eye-pRNFLT and mean pRNFLT were significantly associated with a lower EQ-5D index and the ‘vitality’ in the HINT-8.
Conclusions:Decreased thinner eye-pRNFLT and mean pRNFLT were independently associated with certain declines in health-related quality of life among Korean adults. These findings suggest that structural changes in the optic nerve, which connects the eye and the brain, may be linked to overall quality of life.
