Vision-related quality of life in people with central retinal vein occlusion using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE To study visual function and vision-related quality of life in persons with central retinal vein occlusion using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). METHODS Interviewer-administered study of persons with central retinal vein occlusion. Scores on the VFQ-25 were analyzed and converted to a 100-point scale in which 100 represents the best possible score and 0 represents the worst. Subscale results were compared with previously published data, and a subgroup analysis was performed. RESULTS Fifty-one patients participated. The mean adjusted subscale responses were significantly lower than those from a reference group of patients without ocular disease but not significantly different from patients with diabetic retinopathy. Responses to the VFQ-25 correlated most strongly with visual acuity in the better-seeing eye, number of systemic medical conditions, and patients' opinions about their general health. Responses did not correlate with visual acuity in the involved eye. CONCLUSIONS Central retinal vein occlusion is an ocular disease that is associated with a decreased vision-related quality of life as measured by the VFQ-25. A decrease in VFQ-25 scores is related to the degree of visual loss in the better-seeing eye and the overall systemic health of the patient.