Abstract
Aims To assess associations of visual function (VF) and quality of life (QOL) by presenting visual acuity (PVA) and causes of blindness and visual impairment. Methods Multi-stage cluster random sampling was used to identify a nationally representative sample of persons aged ≥ 40 years in Sri Lanka. Previously validated VF and QOL measurement instruments were administered to participants who were blind or severely visually impaired due to cataract, or refractive errors, those with moderate severe visual impairment of any cause and a sample of those with normal/near normal vision (VA ≥6/12 in the better eye). Questionnaires were also administered to persons who had undergone cataract surgery in one or both eyes and had a post-operative vision ≥ 6/60. Results The Cronbach α coefficients showed that the VF and QOL subscales had satisfactory internal consistency and reliability. Mean VF/QOL scores of individuals who were blind (presenting VA Conclusions VF and QOL self-reported questionnaires are very useful to monitor patient-reported functional benefit from blindness control interventions in low and middle- income countries like Sri Lanka.
Highlights
Recent decades have seen greater recognition of the value of patient-reported assessment of visual function (VF) and vision-related quality of life (QOL)
The Cronbach coefficients showed that the VF and QOL subscales had satisfactory internal consistency and reliability
Persons visually impaired from cataract had the greatest difficulty in performing VF activities and QOL domains on all the items in the VF and QOL questionnaires
Summary
Recent decades have seen greater recognition of the value of patient-reported assessment of visual function (VF) and vision-related quality of life (QOL). This is because visual acuity (VA) is only one of several visual functions, the others including visual fields, colour vision and contrast sensitivity, and measurement of loss of visual acuity alone cannot capture the impact on abilities to undertake everyday visual tasks [1,2]. Data for this study came from the Sri Lanka national blindness, visual impairment and disability survey, and is the first study of VF and vision-related QOL at the national level in Sri Lanka. Clients’ perspectives of the impact of loss of vision on their lives are useful for advocacy and prioritizing for priority setting in blindness control programs
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