Validity of the visual function index (VF-14) in patients with retinal disease.
OBJECTIVE
To test the validity of the Visual Function Index (VF-14) in patients with retinal disease.


METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire package in association with clinical examination findings.


METHODS
Consecutive patients attending the Vancouver General Hospital Eye Care Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, retina clinic between May 1 and August 15, 1998.


METHODS
Responses to the questionnaire package as they relate to global self-assessment scales and visual acuity. In addition, correlations were calculated between the VF-14, the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, a Weighted Comorbidity Scale, and visual acuity scores.


RESULTS
Five hundred forty-seven patients were given the questionnaire package to complete. The VF-14 demonstrated a moderately strong positive association with patient self-rating of amount of trouble, satisfaction, and overall quality of vision. Correlations between the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, visual acuity, and the global scales were mild to moderate. The VF-14 was moderately correlated with visual acuity in the better and the worse eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides support for the validity of the VF-14 as a measure of functional impairment in patients with retinal disease. Once responsiveness has been measured and an analysis of disease subtypes has been carried out, the VF-14 will be ready for inclusion in clinical trials to evaluate patients' functional ability. Further implementation and development of this outcome measure will better our understanding of the utility of the functional assessment format for patients with retinal disease.
Linder
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Chang
T S
TS
Scott
I U
IU
Hay
D
D
Chambers
K
K
Sibley
L M
LM
Weis
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000295:instrumentation; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*