Abstract
Purpose: :
A strong correlation has been established between visual and social impairment in nystagmus with the help of visual (VF14) and social function (SF) questionnaires (Pilling et al. BJO 2005). So far, the relationship between questionnaires and an objective clinical evaluation has not been established.The aim of this study was to correlate VF14 and SF questionnaires with diagnosis and visual acuity.
Methods: :
A questionnaire including questions related to visual (VF14) and social function was given to 108 patients with nystagmus. All affected participants underwent a detailed clinical history, and full dilated eye examination including visual acuity (VA), electrophysiology and eye movement recordings.
Results: :
Mean VF14 (±SD) scores were 70.9 (±22.4, n=34) for idiopathic infantile nystagmus, 60.4 (±18.4, n=20) for albinism, 42.6 (±18.9, n=19) for nystagmus associated with other ocular pathology and 64.5 (±24.6, n=35) for acquired nystagmus. Mean scores for SF were 73.5 (±18.1) for idiopathic infantile nystagmus, 71.8 (±16.1) for albinism, 59.8 (±22.1) for nystagmus associated with other ocular pathology and 67.3 (±20.8) for acquired nystagmus. VF14 and SF scores were strongly correlated (p<0.0001). VA was strongly correlated to VF14 scores (p<0.0001) and had a weaker correlation to the SF score (p=0.01).
Conclusions: :
Visual function and social function are dependent on the type of nystagmus with lowest function recorded in acquired nystagmus. While VF14 discriminated between patients with idiopathic nystagmus and albinism the SF did not show an obvious difference. VF14 is a useful tool in assessment of visual function in nystagmus.
Keywords: nystagmus • eye movements • visual acuity