[The attitude of patients to glaucoma]

The authors are concerned since 1987 with a relatively large group of patients suffering from glaucoma, whereby attention is focused on social and psychological factors in conjunction with glaucoma. Examinations are made, using a binary questionnaire. In addition to already known facts on the marked influence on work capacity and problems ensuing from the necessity of a relatively frequent need to administer eye drops the authors found that glaucoma has a great impact on the patients' life. It has an impact on family life, in some instances the disease caused loss of the partner. 60% of the patients frequently think of their disease frequently and some 8% of the patients feel that life is not worth living. 6% of the patients in the group contemplated possible suicide. The authors feel that the group at greatest risk are old women and men who as a result of the disease are complete or partial invalids.