Vision-related quality of life in people with central retinal vein occlusion using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To study visual function and vision-related quality of life in persons with central retinal vein occlusion using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25).

METHODS: Interviewer-administered study of persons with central retinal vein occlusion. Scores on the VFQ-25 were analyzed and converted to a 100-point scale in which 100 represents the best possible score and 0 represents the worst. Subscale results were compared with previously published data, and a subgroup analysis was performed.

RESULTS: Fifty-one patients participated. The mean adjusted subscale responses were significantly lower than those from a reference group of patients without ocular disease but not significantly different from patients with diabetic retinopathy. Responses to the VFQ-25 correlated most strongly with visual acuity in the better-seeing eye, number of systemic medical conditions, and patients' opinions about their general health. Responses did not correlate with visual acuity in the involved eye.

CONCLUSIONS: Central retinal vein occlusion is an ocular disease that is associated with a decreased vision-related quality of life as measured by the VFQ-25. A decrease in VFQ-25 scores is related to the degree of visual loss in the better-seeing eye and the overall systemic health of the patient.