Assessing Quality of Life in Pediatric Low Vision Patients: Preliminary Results

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: We present initial findings from a pediatric low vision assessment tool. Methods: Transcribed interviews with children and their caregivers were reviewed and item stems identified. An initial questionnaire included 116 items. Children, aged 5–18 years, were included for participation. Children ≤8 years had only proxy interviews completed. Children ≥9 years had both proxy and child interviews completed. Exclusions included any handicap not related to vision. Scores were assigned to item responses, with higher scores indicative of no impairment. We created three subscales by selecting six items each in the domains of school functioning, mobility, and leisure activities. A fourth scale consisted of a single item pertaining to overall visual function. The scales were scored as the percent of total possible score on the scale. The percentage scores were correlated with log minimum angle of resolution; thus, significant negative correlations were expected. Results: Fifty–eight questionnaires were administered. However, complete information was available on 53. Ages ranged from 5–17 years (mean = 9 years). Almost 60% of patients were male. Visual acuity ranged from legally blind (5%) to minimally or not visually impaired (64%). Measured visual acuity correlated significantly with patient’s overall perception of visual function on (r = –0.47; p < 0.01); also, it did correlate with perceptions regarding school function (r = –.475; p < 0.01), mobility (r =–.365; p < 0.01), and leisure activities (r = –.622; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Overall perception of vision does not strongly correlate with visual acuity, which may be a result of other factors including the child’s or parent’s personality and outlook. Perceptions of mobility function correlate least strongly with visual acuity, which may reflect the relatively small role that central vision plays in many mobility tasks.

Keywords: low vision • clinical research methodology • visual development