ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The Veterans Affairs Low-Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire-48 is among the most validated tools to collect patient-reported outcomes in a low-vision population. We have aimed to conduct a pilot validation of the Italian version of the Veterans Affairs Low-Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire-48. METHODS: The Veterans Affairs Low-Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire-48 was translated using a standardized procedure and then administered to consecutive low-vision patients attending rehabilitation services in three centers. Patients were interviewed by a trained psychologist regarding the individual items of the tool. RESULTS: We included 131 patients with a mean visual acuity of 0.91 logMAR (standard deviation: 0.42 logMAR), mostly affected by age-related macular degeneration. The Veterans Affairs Low-Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire-48 showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.98) and good item-test and item-rest correlation (median: 0.73 and 0.71, respectively). Both the overall score and the subscale (reading, visual motor, mobility and visual information) scores significantly correlated with visual acuity, reading acuity and speed. Reading speed achieved the best absolute correlation with the Veterans Affairs Low-Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire-48 scores (Spearman r: 0.39-0.49). CONCLUSION: The Italian version of the Veterans Affairs Low-Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire-48 is a valid tool to assess patients attending low-vision services. Revising a few items may further improve the tool.
Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Language , Sickness Impact Profile , Surveys and Questionnaires , Vision, Low/psychology , Aged , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Quality of Life/psychology , United States , United States Department of Veterans Affairs , Vision, Low/rehabilitation , Visual Acuity/physiologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) variations after automated visual field examination in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and in healthy subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Intraocular pressure was measured in 49 patients (94 eyes) with primary open-angle glaucoma and in 13 healthy subjects (26 eyes) before and immediately after automated visual field examination. All patients had stable IOP and were using local medication to treat glaucoma. The visual field test was performed with a Humphrey 630 VF analyzer and the Central 30-2 full-threshold program. RESULTS: Mean IOP increased significantly in glaucomatous patients immediately after automated visual field examination (P < 0.01), and returned to pretest values after 1 hour (P = 0.2). Mean IOP variation was 2.38 (range, -6-11) mm Hg. In 42 (44.68%) glaucomatous eyes, IOP increased more than 2 mm Hg, with a mean increase of 5.5 mm Hg. Elderly glaucoma patients showed a significantly higher IOP rise than younger patients. No significant IOP variation was detected in healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Intraocular pressure varied significantly and tended to increase immediately after automated visual field examination in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Age seemed to contribute to these IOP changes, but other factors could be involved.
