title: Assessment of vision-related quality of life in patients with central retinal artery occlusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a major cause for severe visual impairment. Its effect on vision-related quality of life has not yet been determined. The purpose of the present study was thus to assess vision-related quality of life in patients with CRAO using the 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case-control study comprised 26 patients with unilateral CRAO and a control group consisting of 26 control subjects, matched for age and sex. Vision-related quality of life was measured using the 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After Bonferroni correction, the median 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire composite score was significantly lower in patients with CRAO than in those in the control group (P(corr) < 0.001). Patients with CRAO showed significantly lower median scores in 9 of 12 subscales: general vision (P(corr) < 0.001), peripheral vision (P(corr) < 0.001), difficulties with near-vision activities (P(corr) < 0.001), difficulties with distance-vision activities (P(corr) < 0.001), role difficulties as a result of vision problems (P(corr) < 0.001), dependency on others because of vision problems (P(corr) < 0.001), limitations in social functioning because of vision problems (P(corr) < 0.001), mental health symptoms because of vision problems (P(corr) < 0.001), and general health (P(corr) = 0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that vision-related quality of life is reduced in patients with CRAO.
authors: *Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; †Department of Rehabilitation Psychology, Applied Human Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal, Stendal, Germany; and ‡Center for Medical Research, Office of Biostatistics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Weger
authors: Tamara
authors: T
authors: Pichler
authors: Gabriele H
authors: GH
authors: Franke
authors: Anton
authors: A
authors: Haas
authors: Herbert V
authors: HV
authors: Thaler
authors: Nora
authors: N
authors: Kraigher-Krainer
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Groselj-Strele
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Wedrich
authors: Dieter F
authors: DF
authors: Rabensteiner
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014792:Visual Acuity