title: Self-Reported Visual Quality of Life After Combat Ocular Trauma.
abstract: To describe the visual outlook and quality of life of service members after combat ocular trauma.
  
  
  
  In a single-center, prospective observational study of service members sustaining ocular trauma, participants underwent a series of ocular examinations and noninvasive tests, including the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VFQ-25).
  
  
  
  Of the 165 enrolled participants, 137 completed the VFQ-25. The mean VFQ-25 composite score was 74.4 ± 20.7 (range: 1.4-100). Among 118 participants with visual acuity assessment, 92% had best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/20 or better in at least one eye. Among participants with severe vision loss (BCVA ≤20/200), there was no statistically significant difference in self-reported general health compared to those without severe vision loss (p = 0.17). However, there was a significantly lower visual quality of life reported in the composite score and all of the 11 subscales of the VFQ-25.
  
  
  
  While this study provides evidence that combat ocular trauma is associated with a lower visual quality of life, limitations include the relatively small sample size and the limited documentation of the use of eye protection at time of injury among participants.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda MD 20889.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda MD 20889.
authors.forename: Marcus H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Colyer
authors.affiliation: Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program and Research Center at Fort Belvoir, 9300 DeWitt Loop, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060.
authors.forename: Denise S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program and Research Center at Fort Belvoir, 9300 DeWitt Loop, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060.
authors.forename: Rose K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Sia
authors.affiliation: Retina Group of Washington, 7501 Greenway Center Drive, Suite 300, Greenbelt, MD 20770.
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Weichel
authors.affiliation: Vision Center of Excellence, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda MD 20889.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spiegelman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 1405 Perry Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Eaddy
authors.affiliation: Vision Center of Excellence, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda MD 20889.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mazzoli
authors.affiliation: The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287.
authors.forename: Kraig S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bower
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D014857:Warfare; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology