Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate if inclusion of LVQOL would augment the VFQ–25 questionnaire in providing additional information on vision–related function in determining quality of life (QOL) of patients with bilateral severe macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods: :
A prospective study assessed vision–related QOL using the 25–item Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire (LVQOL) and the 25–item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ–25). Surveys were administered to patients presenting with bilateral vision loss who consented to participate in a macular translocation surgery study. LVQOL and NEI VFQ–25 QOL subscale scores for all patients were assessed for correlation among each of the individual subscales as well as with distance and near visual acuities, reading speed, and contrast sensitivity.
Results: :
Sixty–six patients with a mean age of 77 years were studied. Mean distance visual acuity (VA) score was 61.1 (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters), mean near acuity was 0.85 (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), mean reading speed was 88.47 words/ minute and mean contrast sensitivity was 13.1 cd/m². The mean LVQOL composite score was 61.2 and the mean VFQ–25 composite score was 47.7. There were low correlations between the LVQOL composite and subscale scores and traditional measures of visual function ie. distance VA, near VA, reading speed and contrast sensitivity. The Spearman correlation coefficient between the LVQOL and VFQ–25 was 0.724. There were also statistically significant correlations between similar LVQOL and VFQ–25 questions ie. general vision, reading newsprint, seeing up close, seeing street signs, seeing steps, accomplishing less with everyday activities, and frustration. The correlation between LVQOL and VFQ–25 near activity subscales was low at 0.37 and correlations were low among individual near activity questions.
Conclusions: :
The LVQOL demonstrated that AMD had considerable negative impact on many aspects of QOL, particularly near vision tasks, independence, and mobility. The LVQOL 25–item scale had a similar performance to the developmental results of the LVQOL in a different population. While the LVQOL overall correlated highly with the VFQ–25 therefore suggesting repetitive questioning, further subscale evaluation showed the variety of information obtained, especially in the near tasks subscales. The LVQOL is an additionally useful tool in the assessment specifically of AMD patients with severe vision loss.
Keywords: quality of life • age-related macular degeneration • low vision