Psychometric Properties of the Croatian Version of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of study was to translate, adapt and validate the Croatian version of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) in participants with visual impairment. This study also aims at evaluating the relationship between visual impairment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).Methods: The prospective observational study was conducted at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Department of Ophthalmology. The sample consisted of 175 patients with four chronic ocular diseases: cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). The translation of the NEI VFQ-25 to Croatian was conducted following the standardized procedure. All participants underwent an ophthalmological examination and completed the NEI VFQ-25 and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Questionnaire (SF-36). In order to assess the psychometric properties of the NEI VFQ-25 we calculated Cronbach's α coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), convergent and discriminant validity, as well as criterion and concurrent validity.Results: Results show high internal consistency (Cronbach α range 0.739-0.932) and high test-retest reliability (ICC 0.876-0.975) for all subscales. None of the items had failed either convergent or discriminant validity. Moderate to high Spearman's rho coefficients of correlations were found between best corrected visual acuity and 8 subscales in the NEI VFQ-25 (0.430<ρ<0.631). Moderate correlations were found between comparable domains in the NEI VFQ-25 and in the SF-36 questionnaire (p<0.01).Conclusion: The Croatian version of the NEI VFQ-25 has very good psychometric properties and can be a useful instrument for assessing vision-related quality of life in Croatian population with chronic ophthalmic diseases. The trial registration number: DRKS-ID DRKS00016751Date of registration in DRKS: 2019/02/15

Vision-related quality of life and its related factors among older adults

“…The results showed that the studied elderly have a good VRQoL level. In some studies, VRQoL has been reported as moderate [12,[33][34][35][36], in some studies similar to the present study as well [20,24,25,37,38] and in some studies as poor [19]. Since VI increase with age and affect the quality and performance of people's vision, and the majority of the elderly studied were in the age group of 60-70 years, so their quality of life was better.…”

“…Regarding gender, since there is no structural or genetic and biological difference between women and men in eyes, in addition, other factors such as education level and occupation were not signi cantly related to VRQoL, so, there was no signi cant difference between the quality of life of elderly men and women. The results of the previous studies are different, as in some studies quality of life was related to age, gender, occupation and education [12,24,25,29,43,44] and in some studies, these relationships were not signi cant [20,36,45]. Therefore, wider investigations in this eld seem necessary.…”

“…Studies have shown the relationship between VI and reduced quality of life, independence, personal and social activities, and depression [10,11], but VRQoL has been investigated less with speci c tools and the studies are mainly conducted in developed countries, and the elderlies were less addressed [12][13][14][15][16].…”

Efficacy Evaluation of the VFQ-25 Scale in Patients with Different Degrees of Vitreous Opacity After Nd : YAG Laser Ablation

“…Previous studies have shown that the VFQ-25 score is a good scale for evaluating the severity of symptoms in patients with vitreous opacities and has reliable reliability and validity [14]. e VFQ-25 scale shows high internal consistency (Cronbach α range 0.739-0.932) and high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.876-0.975) [15].…”