Purpose

To compare the multidimensional health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients wearing an ocular prosthesis following eye amputation with that of patients wearing a scleral cover shell over a non-functional globe.

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Methods

An observational comparative study was conducted. A total of 80 patients who had been wearing an ocular prosthesis were included. Four standardised HRQoL questionnaires were filled. The questionnaires were the following: the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire 25 (NEI VFQ-25), the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Neuropathic Pain 4 (DN4). The variation in the quality of life as reflected by the NEI VFQ‐25 composite score compared between patients wearing a prosthesis after eye amputation and those wearing a scleral cover shell over the globe was the main outcome measure.

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Results

Twenty-nine patients (36.3%) wore a scleral cover shell over a non-functional globe and 51 (63.7%) had undergone eye amputation. The comparison of the HRQoL of these patients was not significantly different regarding the four questionnaires. A multivariate analysis did not identify any specific demographic or clinical characteristics that would significantly interact with the type of prosthesis to influence HRQoL outcomes.

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Conclusion

No significant difference in HRQoL was observed between the two types of ocular prosthesis. These findings suggest that, in the absence of refractory pain or oncologic indication, postponing eye amputation and offering a scleral cover shell may be a reasonable patient-centred option.

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Additional Authors

First name	Last name	Base Hospital / Institution
Axel	Monin	Besançon University Hospital
Rémi	Yaïci	Strasbourg University Hospital
Claudia	Sarubbi	Besançon University Hospital
Kimia	Belafkih	Besançon University Hospital
Manon	Simonin	Dole Hospital
Anne Sophie	Gauthier	Besançon University Hospital

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