AIM: To assess the vision-related life quality of patients with thyroid associated-ophthalmopathy(TAO)accompanied by intraocular hypertension and to analyze the relevant factors.

METHODS: Altogether, 90 TAO patients with intraocular pressure(TAO group)and 90 normal persons(control group)were involved in the investigation. With vision function(VF)questionnaire, their visual perception, peripheral vision, sensory adaptation and depth perception were assessed. With quality of life(QOL)questionnaire, their self-care ability, mobility, social and mental status were assessed. For each group, the total score of VF/QOL and scores of each scale were calculated.

RESULTS: The average total score of VF/QOL in the TAO group was(89.93±8.9, 92.89±5.91)points, which was significantly lower than that in control group(98.18±4.06, 99.21±1.87)points(P<0.01). Except peripheral vision(Z=-0.65, P=0.52), the scores of any other scales in VF in the TAO group were significantly lower than those in control group(P<0.01). Scores of all scales in QOL in the TAO group were remarkably lower than those in control group(P<0.05). In the multiple linear regression analysis, the VF scores were significantly correlated with “NO SPECS'' classification and psychological factors instead of ocular hypertension, age and course of disease, while the scores of QOL were correlated with education background.

CONCLUSION:The VF/QOL in patients with TAO and ocular hypertension is lower, the VF scores were significantly correlated with “NO SPECS” classification instead of ocular hypertension. Intraocular pressure does not affect the vision-related QOL of patients with TAO. The “NO SPECS” classification only affects the scores of VF rather than those of QOL.