Abstract
Purpose :
The Visual Function Index (VF-14) is a questionnaire designed to measure impairment in visual function (Steinberg et al., 1994). Although created for patients with cataracts, it has also been validated for other conditions (e.g., age-related macular degeneration (AMD); Mackenzie et al., 2002). Typically, only the total VF-14 score is reported by researchers. Here, we explored if there are differences between AMD and other sources of vision impairment in total and individual scores on the VF-14.
Methods :
Using archival data from the Montreal Barriers Study, and data from the ongoing Concordia Retina Image Database, a sample of 371 individuals with AMD and 452 with other conditions were analyzed. VF-14 was administered at hospitals and rehabilitation service sites in the greater Montreal region.
Results :
For total VF-14 score, we find no differences between the two groups (p=.568, d=.07) and across most conditions. However, we find that those with AMD perform worse on question 1 – reading small print (p=.008, d=.19) and question 10 – playing sports (p=.009, d=.261). We also find that those with other vision loss conditions score statistically significantly lower on question 11 – cooking (p=.04, d=-.16). Given that AMD primarily impacts the function of the fovea, the observed difficulties for those with AMD in tasks involving reading small print and playing sports requiring hand-eye coordination of small objects are not unexpected. Alternatively, our results regarding cooking were initially unanticipated. However, cooking requires having comprehensive spatial awareness and the ability to track surroundings while finding ingredients, which would be impacted by peripheral damage, rather than damage to the central vision.
Conclusions :
These results demonstrate that looking at the overall total score of the VF-14 may not be as informative as looking at the individual question scores, suggesting that individual scores should also be considered when analyzing VF-14 in research.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.