Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) and visual function following vitrectomy and injection of triamcinolone acetonide for diabetic macular edema (DME).
Methods: :
The 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) was answered by 29 patients with DME before and 3 months after vitrectomy and injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Clinical data were collected, including logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), letter contrast sensitivity, and central macular thickness.
Results: :
Vitrectomy and triamcinolone acetonide injection significantly improved VFQ-25 composite score (P < 0. 05, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) and subscales such as general vision and peripheral vision (P < 0.05). The preoperative VFQ-25 composite score exhibited significant correlation with preoperative logMAR BCVA in both the better- and worse-seeing eyes (P < 0.05, Spearman rank correlation test). Postoperatively, VFQ-25 composite score significantly correlated with logMAR BCVA in the better- and worse-seeing eyes (P < 0.05). Significant correlations were also observed between VFQ-25 composite score and letter contrast sensitivity in both eyes before and after treatment (P < 0.05). Changes in VFQ-25 composite score significantly correlated with changes in letter contrast sensitivity (P < 0.05), but not with changes in visual acuity (P = 0.116). The VFQ-25 score was not significantly associated with central macular thickness (P = 0.533).
Conclusions: :
Vitrectomy and injection of triamcinolone acetonide for DME significantly improved VR-QOL. VR-QOL was significantly associated with contrast sensitivity and visual acuity.
Keywords: quality of life • diabetic retinopathy • macula/fovea