Cognitive Dysfunctions in Glaucoma: An Overview of Morpho-Functional Mechanisms and the Impact on Higher-Order Visual Function

Background: Glaucoma is a chronic, vision-threatening disease, and a major cause of legal blindness. The current view is no longer limited to the progressive optic nerve injury, since growing evidence strongly support the interpretation of glaucoma as a complex neurodegenerative disease. However, the precise pathogenic mechanisms leading to the onset and progression of central nervous system (CNS) impairment, and the functional consequences of this damage, are still partially understood. The main aim of this review is to provide a complete and updated overview of the current knowledge regarding the CNS involvement in glaucoma, and the possible therapeutic perspectives.Methods: We made a careful survey of the current literature reporting all the relevant findings related to the cognitive dysfunctions occurring in glaucoma, with specific remarks dedicated on the higher-order visual function impairment and the possible employment of neuroprotective agents.Results: The current literature strongly support the interpretation of glaucoma as a multifaceted chronic neurodegenerative disease, widely affecting the CNS. The cognitive impairment may vary in terms of higher-order functions involvement and in the severity of the degeneration. Although several neuroprotective agents are currently available, the development of new molecules represents a major topic of investigation for future clinical trials.Conclusions: Glaucoma earned the right to be fully considered a neurodegenerative disease. Glaucomatous patients may experience a heterogeneous set of visual and cognitive symptoms, progressively deteriorating the quality of life. Neuroprotection is nowadays a necessary therapeutic goal and a future promising way to preserve visual and cognitive functions, thus improving patients’ quality of life.

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The impact of spectacle wear compliance on the visual function related quality of life of Omani students: A historical cohort study

Oman Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.4103/0974-620x.122278 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 199 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

RajivB Khandekar ◽

UrmiP Gogri ◽

Saleh Al Harby

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Visual Function ◽

Historical Cohort ◽

Historical Cohort Study ◽

Related Quality ◽

The Impact

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The utility of visual function questionnaire in the assessment of the impact of diabetic retinopathy on vision-related quality of life

Eye ◽

10.1038/eye.2009.56 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 29-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

A Gabrielian ◽

S M Hariprasad ◽

R D Jager ◽

J L Green ◽

W F Mieler

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Visual Function ◽

Related Quality ◽

Visual Function Questionnaire ◽

The Impact

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Association of Vision-related Quality of Life with Visual Function in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-51769-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Susanne G. Pondorfer ◽

Jan. H. Terheyden ◽

Manuel Heinemann ◽

Maximilian W. M. Wintergerst ◽

Frank G. Holz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

Macular Degeneration ◽

Contrast Sensitivity ◽

Visual Function ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Age Related ◽

Related Quality ◽

The Impact

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess which visual function measures are most strongly associated with vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A cross-sectional study of subjects with early AMD (n = 10), intermediate AMD (n = 42) and late AMD (n = 38) was conducted. Subjects were interviewed with the Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) questionnaire. Functional tests performed included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low luminance visual acuity (LLVA), visual acuity measured with the Moorfields Acuity Charts (MAC), contrast sensitivity, reading speed, mesopic and dark-adapted microperimetry. The relationship between VRQoL and visual function was assessed with multiple regressions controlling for confounders. Rasch analysis demonstrated the validity of the IVI to assess VRQoL through three subscales: reading and accessing information, mobility and independence, and emotional well-being. Subjects with late AMD had significant lower IVI scores on all subscales compared with intermediate and early AMD (p < 0.011). In the overall cohort, IVI subscales were associated with BCVA, LLVA, MAC-VA and contrast sensitivity (all p < 0.001). Among the subgroup of early and intermediate AMD subjects, reading and mobility subscales were significantly associated with MAC-VA (p < 0.013). These results suggest that MAC-VA is a useful, patient-relevant measure of visual impairment in AMD.

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Self-Compassion and Quality of Life in Adults Who Stutter

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00055 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 2097-2108

Author(s):

Robyn L. Croft ◽

Courtney T. Byrd

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

The Self ◽

Future Research ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Adults Who Stutter ◽

And Gender ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify levels of self-compassion in adults who do and do not stutter and to determine whether self-compassion predicts the impact of stuttering on quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Participants included 140 adults who do and do not stutter matched for age and gender. All participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale. Adults who stutter also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering. Data were analyzed for self-compassion differences between and within adults who do and do not stutter and to predict self-compassion on quality of life in adults who stutter. Results Adults who do and do not stutter exhibited no significant differences in total self-compassion, regardless of participant gender. A simple linear regression of the total self-compassion score and total Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering score showed a significant, negative linear relationship of self-compassion predicting the impact of stuttering on quality of life. Conclusions Data suggest that higher levels of self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness (i.e., self-compassion) are related to reduced negative reactions to stuttering, an increased participation in daily communication situations, and an improved overall quality of life. Future research should replicate current findings and identify moderators of the self-compassion–quality of life relationship.

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