The VF-14. An index of functional impairment in patients with cataract.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the development and the performance of a brief questionnaire designed to measure functional impairment caused by cataract (the VF-14).


METHODS
Observational cross-sectional study. Patients were recruited between July 15 and December 15, 1991.


METHODS
Patients were recruited from the practices of 70 ophthalmologists, located in Columbus, Ohio (N = 21), St Louis, Mo (N = 26), and Houston, Tex (N = 23).


METHODS
Seven hundred sixty-six patients undergoing cataract surgery for the first time.


METHODS
Preoperative best corrected visual acuity in each eye; scores on the VF-14, a new index of functional impairment in patients with cataract; patient reports of overall trouble and satisfaction with their vision; and scores on the Sickness Impact Profile, a measure of general health status.


RESULTS
The VF-14 has high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .85) and correlates more strongly with the overall self-rating of the amount of trouble and satisfaction patients have with their vision than do several measures of visual acuity or the Sickness Impact Profile score. The VF-14 score is moderately correlated with visual acuity in the better eye.


CONCLUSIONS
The VF-14 is a reliable and valid measure of functional impairment caused by cataract and provides information not conveyed by visual acuity or a general measure of health status.
Steinberg
E P
EP
Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Tielsch
J M
JM
Schein
O D
OD
Javitt
J C
JC
Sharkey
P
P
Cassard
S D
SD
Legro
M W
MW
Diener-West
M
M
Bass
E B
EB
Damiano
A M
AM
D002386:Cataract / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014785:Vision, Ocular