Effectiveness of Prism Spectacles in Patients with Age Related Macular Degeneration: A randomized control trial study

Abstract

Purpose:  To compare between the use of prism and the spectacles without prism in improving near vision, distance vision and quality of life in patients with AMD. Study Design:  Randomized control trial. Place and Duration of Study:  Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, from October 2021 to April 2022. Methods:  Eighty-eight patients with AMD were selected and 44 patients were included in intervention group and control group each. Both interventional and control groups underwent Visual acuity (VA) for distance and near. VF-25 questionnaire was filled to evaluate quality of life (VFQoL). After prescribing prisms and simple glasses without prisms, both groups were called for a follow-up after one week and one month. VF-25 questionnaire was filled again. IBM SPSS was used for statistics. Categorical variables were presented by the frequencies and percentages. Continuous variables were presented by mean and standard deviation. Results:  There were 63.64% males. Mean age of subjects was 67.28 + 8.0. A repeated measure ANOVA determined that mean VA for distance, near (for single opto-type and continuous text) and quality of life of intervention group and control group increased from pre-intervention to one month (p < .0005), and from pre-intervention to one week (p = <0.001), but not from one week to one month (p = >0.005).Mean improvement in near and distance vision was significant better in intervention group than the control group (p = < 0.001). Conclusion:  There was statistically significant improvement in near, distance vision and quality of life with the use of prism in AMD.