Comparative Analysis of Life Satisfaction of Patients before and after Diagnosis of Eye Pathologies

Aim: To compare the life satisfaction of patients before and after diagnosis of eye pathologies.

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional survey amongst eye patients at Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha, South East, Nigeria using pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Data collected included the socio -demographics and the life satisfaction scores of the patients before, and 4-6 weeks after diagnosis.

Results: A total of 137 patients in the age range 18 to 88years, and with disease duration ranging from 1 to 23 years were enrolled. There was equal male to female ratio with mean age of 54.6 years. There was significant decreased mean life satisfaction scores from 25.9 before diagnosis to 24.3 after diagnosis among participants with eye pathology.

Conclusion: The diagnosis of a vision threatening eye pathology is associated with lowering of life satisfaction hence the need to incorporate psychotherapy in the long term management of these patients.