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INTRODUCTION: Glaucoma is often a misdiagnosed pathology and is one of the main causes of blindness in the world population.Glaucoma frequentlycauses limitations in theactivities of daily livingand changes the patient's quality of life. AIM: The purpose of our study is to describe the life experiences of subjects in southern Italy suffering from glaucoma. METHOD: Phenomenological study RESULTS: From the analysis of interviews six main themes emerged:(1) a profound change in lifestyle, (2) casual diagnosis,(3) independent research,(4) fear of blindness,(5) fear of being a burden to family, and (6) fear of familial pathology. Two additional themes appeared: the subjects felt lucky not to have a deadly disease and were uncertain about the future. CONCLUSION: The negative aspects prevail over any positive facets. A deep understanding of these experiences can help health care professionals to deliver correct holistic support.
PhD, Department Activities Integrated Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery and Emergency cardiovascular - ICU Cardiac Surgery University Hospital Policlinico Federico II, Naples, Italy.
1.4 Quality of life (Part of: 1 General aspects)