The Italian version of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire: translation, validity, and reliability.
OBJECTIVE
To test the Italian adaptation of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ 25) and to investigate its validity and reliability.


METHODS
This prospective observational study enrolled nonhospitalized patients with 1 of 5 chronic eye diseases, and a reference sample of subjects without eye diseases. Eligible participants had to be cognitively able to respond to a health status interview and be affected by 1 of the following eye conditions: senile cataract, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cytomegalovirus retinitis or low vision. A control group was composed of subjects with no evidence of underlying eye diseases. The Italian self-administered versions of Medical Outcomes Study Short Form and of the NEI-VFQ 25 were administered to all participants. Reliability and validity of the Italian translation of the NEI-VFQ 25 were tested using statistical methods.


RESULTS
Statistical analysis points out that the Italian version of the NEI-VFQ 25 has good validity, discriminatory power, internal consistency, and reliability.


CONCLUSIONS
This Italian version of the NEI-VFQ 25 shows psychometric properties comparable to those of the American version, and thus can be used in clinical research as a specific measure of quality of life in patients with chronic eye diseases.
Rossi
Gemma Caterina Maria
GC
University Eye Clinic of Pavia, Clinica Oculistica, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Piazzale Golgi 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy. gemma.rossi.md@inwind.it
Milano
Giovanni
G
Tinelli
Carmine
C
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D014177:Translations; D014481:United States; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000379:methods*