Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To assess the reliability and cost of 3 methods using for implementing a Chinese vision related quality of life questionnaire: in person, by post ,and by telephone. Methods: 63 patients and local residents with low vision in one eye were assigned into 3 age, sex, education, distance visual acuity and eye disease matched groups (n=21 in each) to fill the first Chinese–version Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire by themselves. 2 weeks later, the 3 groups filled the second questionnaires in person, by post or by telephone, respectively. Results: The Cronbach α coefficients and the split–half coefficients for the 2 questionnaires completed by every group were between 0.70 and 0.93. Except for scale "Adjustment", the test–retest reliability of other scales and the whole questionnaire as estimated by intraclass correlations coefficient were between 0.80 and 0.97 (95% confidence intervals were between 0 and 1; p<0.05). The implementation time of the second questionnaires was significantly shorter in the "in person" and "by telephone" group than the "by post" group, but postal implementation was the most cost effective in the 3 methods. Conclusions: The vision related quality of life assessed by any of the 3 methods: in person, by post, and by telephone is reliable. Posting may be the first method chosen for clinical measurement of vision related quality of life in Chinese people.
Keywords: quality of life • vision and action