Abstract
Purpose: :
To describe and compare the health-related quality of life (HRQL), measured with the 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25 + Optional Items), of patients before and after keratoprosthesis surgery.
Methods: :
The NEI VFQ-25 plus supplement was administered to forty adult patients by phone interview. Patients were asked how they felt before the surgery and how they felt at the time of interview. Responses were tabulated for the 12 subscales of the NEI VFQ-39 and the average scores were compared for patient responses before and after they have undergone keratoprosthesis surgery.
Results: :
The NEI-VFQ scores were generally higher in the post intervention (keratoprosthesis) group. Using a scoring system that incorporated the changes in our sample’s responses pre/post procedure, the most significant improvement was found in the general vision group (2.00) followed by near activities (1.43), distance activities (1.38) and mental health (1.30). The least improvement was found in the general health (0.20) and ocular pain subscales (0.48).
Keywords: keratoprostheses • quality of life