Abstract
Purpose :
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited, retinal disease and gradually deteriorates visual function resulting in serious vision loss. Therefore, visual rehabilitation is required for most of the patients with RP. While, the progressive pattern of visual loss varies so widely in each case and that the degree of visual dysfunction alone does not necessarily reflect the vision related quality of life (VRQOL). In order to determine the most effective starting time point of visual rehabilitation, it is essential to know the relationship between visual function and VRQOL in an objective way. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the visual function and VRQOL in patients with RP.
Methods :
A multicenter prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 112 consecutive patients (female 66, male 46, average 60.7±15.4, range 20-90 years) with RP in Japan. VRQOL was assessed using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEI-VFQ25). The correlation between the NEI-VFQ25 composite score, subscales scores (general health, general vision, near vision, distance vision, social function, mental health, role limitations, color vision, peripheral vision) and visual function such as the best collected visual acuity (BCVA), functional acuity score (FAS), functional field score (FFS), functional vision score (FVS) was determined by spearman's correlation analysis. The starting point of visual rehabilitation was set as 49.0 point of the NEI-VFQ25 composite score based upon the previous study (Mangione CM et al, 2001). A linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship the visual function and VRQOL.
Results :
The BCVA (r＝-0.66, P<0.001), FAS (r=0.67, P<0.001), FFS (r=0.55, P<0.001), FVS (r=0.68, P<0.001) were significantly correlated with the NEI-VFQ25 composite score, subscale scores except for general health (r= -0.72 ～0.72, P＜0.001), Although 49.0 point of the NEI-VFQ25 composite score matched BCVA 0.61, FAS 68.1, FFS 40.7, FVS 32.7. In terms of the number of patients with less than 49.0 of the NEI-VFQ25 composite score, there were 22% in BCVA (< 0.61), 21% in FAS (> 68.1), 18% in FFS (> 40.7) and 9% in FVS (>32.7).
Conclusions :
In RP, there were substantial numbers of patients with low VRQOL, though their visual function was relatively well. For these patients, earlier visual rehabilitation may be necessary.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.