Comparison of balance-confidence between glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration patients who live in a developing country

Abstract

Objective

To compare balance-confidence among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and controls in Brazil.

Design

Case-control study.

Setting

Charity hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

Participants

Patients with glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and controls without eye diseases.

Main outcomes measures

Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale scores.

Results

The sample consisted of 64 patients with glaucoma, 60 with age-related macular degeneration, and 60 controls. All groups were matched by age, gender, ethnic distribution, and comorbidities. The ABC Scale score was 63.1 (25.9) in the glaucoma group, 69.5 (16.4) in the age-related macular degeneration group, and 95.3 (9.1) for the controls (P < 0.001; Hedges’ g −1.65 and −1.93, large effect size); glaucoma patients score did not differ from age-related macular degeneration patients (P = 0.132; Hedges’ g 0.30, small effect size).

Conclusion

Both glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration patients reported lower balance-confidence in performing daily activities without losing balance as compared to controls.