Patient Experience and Barriers to the Visual Field Test for Glaucoma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Patient Experience Research
• Clinical Assessment

Background:

• Visual field testing is essential for diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma.
• Understanding patient experiences is key to improving test adherence and data quality.
• Elderly patients and those with glaucoma often face unique challenges during testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively and qualitatively assess patient experiences during visual field testing.
• To identify specific challenges and barriers faced by patients undergoing this diagnostic procedure.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional, mixed-methods study in an Australian ophthalmology clinic.
• 152 adult participants completed a visual analog scale (VAS) and semi-structured interviews.
• Data included VAS scores and thematic analysis of qualitative interview notes.

Main Results:

• The mean VAS score for visual field testing was 60.45.
• Glaucoma patients reported significantly lower VAS scores (worse experience) than non-glaucoma patients.
• Key themes included concentration difficulties, anxiety, skepticism, and physical discomfort.

Conclusions:

• Significant mental, physical, and perceptual challenges impact visual field test tolerability, particularly in elderly glaucoma patients.
• Addressing patient concerns and allowing breaks can improve the testing experience.
• Findings underscore the need for patient-centered approaches in visual field testing.