Impact of visual impairment on quality of life: a comparison with quality of life in the general population and with other chronic conditions

PURPOSE: Subjective evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and health status is recognized as an important tool in the assessment and treatment of visually impaired patients. The aims of this study are to describe the generic HRQoL and health status of visually impaired patients and to compare the HRQoL of visually impaired patients with that of both the general population of the Netherlands and patients with other chronic conditions. METHODS: 128 persons attending a rehabilitation centre for visually impaired adults completed the EuroQol questionnaire (EQ-5D). These patients' EQ-5D scores were compared with EQ-5D norms of the Dutch population and of patients with other chronic conditions; both sets of data were taken from the literature. RESULTS: The average EQ-5Dindex score of the total study population was 0.73 (SD 0.22). Visually impaired patients reported more problems on every dimension of the EQ-5D than the general Dutch population. Only stroke patients and patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and reported more problems on every dimension of the EQ-5D than visually impaired patients. CONCLUSIONS: Visual impairment has a substantial impact on the quality of life; compared with other chronic conditions, it seems to affect the HRQoL, spoiling the quality of life more than diabetes type II, coronary syndrome, and hearing impairments, but less than stroke, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, major depressive disorder, and severe mental illness.     

The impact of visual impairment and eye disease on vision-related quality of life in a Mexican-American population: proyecto VER

PURPOSE: To describe the relationship of visual acuity impairment and eye disease on vision-related quality of life, as measured by the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25), in a cross-sectional, population-based study of older Hispanic persons living in Arizona. METHODS: A random sample of block groups with Hispanic residents in Nogales and Tucson, Arizona, were selected for study. Participants were interviewed at home with a questionnaire that included the NEI-VFQ-25, an instrument measuring vision-related quality of life. Acuity was obtained with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts and standard protocol. Cataract was determined by clinical examination, diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed on stereo fundus photographs, and glaucoma was diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination and visual field results. Analyses were done to determine the degree of association between subscale scores and acuity in the better-seeing eye, monocular visual impairment, and specific eye diseases, with adjustment for acuity. RESULTS: Of the 4774 participants in the study, 99.7% had completed questionnaires that were not completed by proxy. Participants with visual impairment had associated decrements in scores on all subscales, with a decrease in presenting acuity associated with a worse score (P < 0.05), after adjustment for demographic variables. Monocular impairment was also associated with lower scores in several subscales. In those with cataract, low acuity explained most of the low scores, but those with glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy had low scores independent of acuity. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of Mexican-American persons aged 40 or more, monocular impairment and better-eye acuity was associated with a decrease in most domains representing quality of life. Subjects with uncorrected refractive error, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma had associated decrements in quality of life, many not explained by loss of acuity. Further work on the specific measures of vision associated with reported decreases in quality of life, such as visual field or contrast sensitivity, is warranted.     

Preference-based quality of life measures in people with visual impairment.

The use of preference-based measures of quality of life represents the application of principles of decision theory and welfare economics to the measurement of health-related concepts. In this Perspective, we present the theoretical basis of preference-based measures in the assessment of the impact of vision-related disease on quality of life and their role in cost-effectiveness analysis. We discuss the use of the standard gamble and time trade-off in eliciting utilities and the limitations of both methods. Scaling issues related to utility are discussed, in particular the reasons for use of the "policy scale" (i.e., a scale where utilities are anchored at 1.0 for perfect health and 0 as death). This is contrasted with the use of the "vision-truncated scale" (i.e., a scale with 1.0 representing perfect vision and 0 being death), which is commonly used in assessment of vision-related utilities. We discuss problematic aspects of using the truncated scale in conducting cost-effectiveness research for vision-related disease, and provide a theoretical and empirical discussion of these limitations. In particular, we point out how these results raise questions concerning the conceptual relationship between vision- and health-related quality of life. Finally, we present the results of previous cross-cultural and trans-national studies of vision-related quality of life to demonstrate how utility studies might provide insight into the meaning of disease across cultures.     

Correctable visual impairment and its impact on quality of life in a marginalized Canadian neighbourhood

Objective: To study the impact of visual impairment due to either underlying ocular pathology or easily correctable refractive error on vision-related functioning and quality of life (QOL) in Vancouver's downtown eastside (VDES).Design: Cross-sectional study.Participants: Two hundred consecutive patients seeking general medical care at the Vancouver Native Health Society (VNHS) medical clinic were included.Methods: An ocular examination was performed and a standardized history and QOL information were obtained for each participant. Effective visual impairment was classified based on patients' current refractive means. Pathological visual impairment was classified based on patients' best-corrected visual acuity (VA).Vision-related functioning was quantified using the Daily Tasks Dependent on Vision (DTDV) questionnaire. Health-related QOL was assessed using the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12).Results: Two hundred patients participated; they suffered, on average, 6.2 comorbid conditions. Sixty-two patients (31%) were effectively visually impaired and, of these, 14 patients (7%) were effectively blind. Ten patients (5%) had pathological eye disease to explain their visual impairment. The remaining 52 visually impaired patients (26%) had VA that normalized with correction. Difficulty with the tasks described in the DTDV questions was significantly correlated with effective visual impairment. Patients with effective visual impairment had lower Physical Composite Scores on the SF-12 in multivariate analyses.Conclusions: We have demonstrated a very high rate of visual impairment in a low socioeconomic population that is associated with decreased vision-dependent functioning and decreased overall physical health status. Public health efforts need to be directed toward improving easily correctable refractive error.     

视功能损害眼病患者生存质量量表的研究

目的研究一个适合测量我国视功能损害眼病患者的生存质量量表。方法通过指标筛选，最终选择２０个指标形成生存质量量表。应用该量表测量了５７例单纯视力损害的白内障患者和６０例有不同程度视力及视野损害的青光眼患者，并对该量表进行效度、信度和反应性的评价。结果该量表２０个指标，包括症状、视功能、身体机能、社会活动及精神心理等四个方面。（１）准则关联效度：ｒ＝０．６８６５，Ｐ＝０．０００。（２）重测信度：ｒ＝０．８９５９，Ｐ＝０．０００；克朗巴赫系数：α＝０．９３５８；方差比＝０．０５５１；分半信度：Ｒ＝０．９５５３。（３）反应度：ｔ检验＝５．９５（Ｐ＝０．０００），效应大小统计量为１．５３３。结论该量表具有满意的效度、信度和反应度。可试用于临床试验评价     

Evaluation of quality of life characteristics and grade of legal visual impairment

PURPOSE: To evaluate the possible correlation between quality of life (QOL) characteristics and grades of legal visual impairment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quality of life characteristics associated with various causes of visual loss were investigated in 237 Japanese patients in the low-vision care clinic at Tokyo University Hospital, who had been issued the official ID and handbook for the physically handicapped. The main causes of vision loss were glaucoma (87 patients), macular degeneration (35) and diabetic retinopathy (34). Using a previously developed questionnaire, we assessed the correlation between the disability index (DI) as a quality of life characteristic, and the grade of legal visual impairment. RESULTS: Total DI was 1.24 +/- 0.43, showing a very significant correlation with Handicapped Handbook grades (r = -0.44, p < .0001). The correlation coefficients were -0.63 (p < 0.0001) for diabetic retinopathy, -0.50 (p = 0.002) for macular degeneration, and -0.16 (p = 0.14) for glaucoma patients. CONCLUSION: The needs of low-vision patients correlate with the grade of legal visual impairment and it is important to understand that the needs of low vision patients differ for each disease.     

Cataract surgical outcomes, visual function and quality of life in four rural districts in Vietnam

Background: To evaluate cataract surgical outcomes in four rural districts of Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam. Design: Cross‐sectional study. Participants: Post‐cataract surgery patients sampled randomly from facilities in four rural districts of Ha Tinh Province >3 months after surgery. Main Outcome Measures: Postoperative visual acuity (VA), visual function and quality of life. Results: Among 412 patients, the mean age was 74.5 ± 9.4 years, 67% (276) were female, and 377 (91.5%) received intraocular lenses (IOL). Nearly two‐thirds of patients had no postoperative visits after discharge. Postoperatively, more than 40% of eyes had presenting VA <6/18, while 20% remained <6/60. The mean self‐reported visual function and quality of life for all patients were 68.7 ± 23.8 and 73.8 ± 21.6, respectively. Most patients (89.5%) were satisfied with surgery and the majority (94.4%) would recommend surgery to others. One‐third of patients paid ≥$US50 for surgery. In multiple regression modelling, older age (P < 0.01), intraoperative complications (P < 0.01) and failure to receive an IOL (P < 0.01) were associated with postoperative VA <6/60. Conclusion: Satisfaction with surgery was high, and many patients were willing to pay for their operations. Poor visual outcomes were common; however, and better surgical training is needed to reduce complications and their impact on visual outcomes. More intensive postoperative follow‐up may also be beneficial.     

中老年人群视功能和生存质量的研究

目的 评价中老年人群中视功能损害的主观视功能和生存质量。方法 对广东省斗门县随机整群抽样法抽取的所有５０岁以上的中老年人进行问卷调查,由５名问卷调查员,使用视功能和生存质量（ｖｉｓｕａｌ ｆｕｎｃｔｉｏｎ ａｎｄ ｑｕａｌｉｔｙ ｏｆ ｌｉｆｅ,ＶＦ ａｎｄ ＱＯＬ）问卷,对所有至少１只眼日常生活视力低于０．１的受检者（视功能损害组）和部分双眼视力均高于０．３（正常对照组）的受检者进行问卷调查。结     

Cataract surgery and changes in quality of life measures

Background: This study examines whether quality of life measured with non‐disease specific instruments is altered by cataract surgery and whether the effect is modulated by the presence of ocular comorbidity or other nonocular issues. Methods: Thirteen patients were assessed pre‐ and at three months post‐cataract surgery. Visual disability was measured with the Visual Disability Assessment. Quality of life was measured using two established generic instruments: the Cantril Ladder and the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Subjects were also asked to report any events that may have influenced their quality of life in the three months after surgery. Results: Visual acuity and visual disability were significantly improved by surgery (p < 0.01). Cantril Ladder score was significantly improved after surgery (p = 0.04). The POMS score improved significantly after surgery, only when cases with ocular comorbidity were excluded (p = 0.04). Two cases had a large deterioration in POMS score that was attributable in one case, to the death of a partner and in the other (a patient with severe glaucoma) to depression from the realisation that there was no further potential for visual improvement. Discussion: Quality of life can be measurably improved by cataract surgery. However, this is less likely if ocular comorbidity is present. The use of generic instruments for outcome studies increases the likely influence of external factors on quality of life measures. Disease specific instruments, such as the Visual Disability Assessment, should be used wherever possible in outcomes research.     

Unilateral visual impairment and health related quality of life: the Blue Mountains Eye Study

BACKGROUND: There has been considerable recent interest in the impact of unilateral visual impairment on functional status and wellbeing, particularly in relation to second eye cataract surgery. Aim: To determine if unilateral visual impairment has a measurable impact on health related quality of life (HRQOL) in an older community, as assessed by the generic, multidimensional 36 item short form health survey (SF-36). METHODS: All participants of the second cross sectional Blue Mountains Eye Study (n = 3508) were invited to attend comprehensive eye examinations and complete an SF-36 questionnaire. Unilateral visual impairment was defined as visual acuity (VA) <6/12 in the worse eye and > or =6/12 in the better eye. Mild visual impairment was defined as VA <6/12 but > or =6/24, moderate as VA <6/24 but > or =6/60, and severe (blindness) as VA <6/60 in the worse eye. Cases with amblyopia (n = 48) were excluded. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 3108 participants; 227 (7.3%) had unilateral visual impairment (148 mild, 29 moderate, 50 severe). Moderate to severe non-correctable unilateral impairment was associated with poorer SF-36 profiles. After adjusting for age and sex, this group had significantly poorer scores than the unimpaired group in three of eight domains (p<0.05); limitations as a result of physical problems, social function, limitations because of emotional problems, and in the mental component score. Mental domains were more affected than physical domains. Unilateral impairment from undercorrected refraction did not measurably affect HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe non-correctable unilateral visual impairment caused by eye diseases such as cataract had a measurable impact on HRQOL.     

Cataract extraction and patient vision-related quality of life: a cohort study

Aims

Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed, but its overuse has been reported. The threshold for cataract surgery has become increasingly lenient; therefore, the selection process and surgical need has been questioned. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes associated with cataract surgery in patient-reported vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL).

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted. Consecutive patients referred to cataract clinics in an NHS unit in Scotland were identified. Those listed for surgery were invited to complete a validated questionnaire (TyPE) to measure VR-QoL pre- and post-operatively. TyPE has five different domains (near vision, distance vision, daytime driving, night-time driving, and glare) and a global score of vision. The influence of pre-operative visual acuity (VA) levels, vision, and lens status of the fellow eye on changes in VR-QoL were explored.

Results

A total of 320 listed patients were approached, of whom 36 were excluded. Among the 284 enrolled patients, 229 (81%) returned the questionnaire after surgery. Results revealed that the mean overall vision improved, as reported by patients. Improvements were also seen in all sub-domains of the questionnaire.

Conclusion

The majority of patients appear to have improvement in patient-reported VR-QoL, including those with good pre-operative VA and previous surgery to the fellow eye. VA thresholds may not capture the effects of the quality of life on patients. This information can assist clinicians to make more informed decisions when debating over the benefits of listing a patient for cataract extraction.     

Multiple sensory impairment and quality of life

Purpose: To evaluate the independent impact of vision, hearing, and olfactory impairment on quality of life.

Methods: Subjects (n?=?1854, mean age?=?67 years) were participants in the 1998–2000 and 2003–05 examinations of the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study and Beaver Dam Eye Study, population-based, prospective studies set in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Sensory capacities were measured in 1998–2000 and quality of life was measured in 2003–05. Vision impairment was assessed using current binocular visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Hearing impairment was defined by the pure tone threshold average and word recognition scores in competing message and olfaction was measured with the San Diego Odor Identification Test. The Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess quality of life.

Results: Significant independent effects of vision impairment and hearing impairment on the SF-36 social functioning domain score were observed (P?<?0.01). The adjusted mean social functioning score for participants with vision and hearing impairment was 5.9 units lower than the mean score in participants with no vision and hearing impairment. A significant independent effect of vision impairment was also observed for the physical functioning and mental health domains (P?<?0.01). Olfaction impairment was not significantly associated with the SF-36 indices.

Conclusions: Impairments in vision and hearing demonstrated independent effects on quality of life. The impact was observed for physical and emotional health (vision) and social functioning (vision and hearing). Evaluation and rehabilitation of sensory deficits may contribute to an improvement in functioning and well-being in the later years of life.