Posters

The psychometric quality of life impact of keratoconus treatment with the Athens Protocol: a long-term study

Poster Details

First Author: S.Georgiadou GREECE

Co Author(s): A. Kanellopoulos                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the Health-Related Quality of life before and after the management of keratoconus with Combined Topography-Guided Transepithelial partial PRK and corneal Cross-Linking: the Athens Protocol.

Setting:

Laservision.gr Clinical and Research Eye Institute

Methods:

Thirty-four patients treated for progressive keratoconus were randomly selected for retrospective telephone interview and individual questionnaire submission. A disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire was administered before and after the Athens Protocol intervention, using the administrative questionnaires NEI VFQ 25/39 and IVI-28. The disease grade was ranked according to the Amsler – Krumeich classification (keratoconus severity). Reliability of collected data was evaluated with Cronbach’s Alpha test.

Results:

Patient age ranged from 15 to 51 years at the time of the operation. Mean time past the operation during which the questionnaires were administered was 45±22 months. General visual acuity, psychological well - being and driving facility showed significant improvement. Younger keratoconic patients tend to have more enhanced psychology and to cope better with difficulties in everyday activities (prior to operation) than older patients.

Conclusions:

The Athens Protocol treatment has been proven beneficial to patients in a large number of aspects.

Financial Disclosure:

None