Original article
Vision-related Quality of Life and Visual Function after Retinal Detachment Surgery

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2008.02.011Get rights and content

Purpose

To compare the vision-related quality of life (VR QOL) after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) surgery with that of normal controls and to investigate the relationship between the VR QOL and visual function after surgery for RD.

Design

Prospective, consecutive, comparative case series.

Methods

The 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) was self-administered by 51 RD patients at six months after surgery. Among the patients with RD, 33 underwent pars plana vitrectomy and 18 received scleral buckling. We examined the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity with the CSV-1000E (Vector Vision Co, Greenville, Ohio, USA), and low-contrast visual acuity (VA) with the CSV-1000LanC10% (Vector Vision Co). From the data obtained by CSV-1000E, the area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) was calculated. The VFQ-25 also was administered to the 46 age-matched normal controls.

Results

The VFQ-25 composite score and the subscales associated with near activities, mental health, dependency, and peripheral vision were significantly lower in the RD group than in the normal controls (P < .05). The VFQ-25 composite score significantly correlated with AULCSF (r = 0.354; P < .05) and low-contrast VA (r = −0.475; P < 0.001), whereas there was no correlation between the VFQ-25 composite score and logMAR BCVA (r = 0.172; P = .229).

Conclusions

The VR QOL is significantly impaired in patients after surgery for RD. The disturbance in VR QOL was significantly associated with deterioration of postoperative contrast sensitivity.

Section snippets

Patients

We included 51 eyes of 51 consecutive patients with RD who were treated successfully with scleral buckling procedure or pars plana vitrectomy. Surgery was performed at our clinic by an experienced vitreoretinal surgeon (F.O.) from January 16, 2006 through February 15, 2007. There were 38 males and 13 females, and their mean age ± standard deviation (SD) was 51.9 ± 13.8 years. The control group consisted of 46 age-matched normal subjects (mean age, 52.3 ± 3.9 years). Before inclusion in the

Results

All patients had unilateral RD and surgery only in the RD eye during the perioperative and six-month postoperative period. No significant intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed, such as subretinal hemorrhage, persistent elevation of intraocular pressure for more than three days, cystoid macular edema, and choroidal detachment. Retinal reattachment was attained at initial operation in all eyes. In the scleral buckling group, SF6 gas was injected in four patients (22.2%),

Discussion

As shown in the results, in patients with RD even after successful reattachment surgery, VR QOL is at a lower level than the normal controls. Specifically, the score of four subscales were significantly lower in the RD group than in the normal controls, such as near activities, mental health, dependency, and peripheral vision. Although VA in the RD patients was almost normal after reattachment surgery (logMAR BCVA, 0.06 in this study), their VR QOL was found to be deteriorated. Previous studies

Fumiki Okamoto graduated from Tsukuba University School of Medicine, Ibaraki, Japan in 1994. He completed his ophthalmology residency and fellowship at University of Tsukuba Hospital. Dr Okamoto is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Tsukuba, Department of Ophthalmology. He specializes in vitreoretinal surgery.

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  • Fumiki Okamoto graduated from Tsukuba University School of Medicine, Ibaraki, Japan in 1994. He completed his ophthalmology residency and fellowship at University of Tsukuba Hospital. Dr Okamoto is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Tsukuba, Department of Ophthalmology. He specializes in vitreoretinal surgery.

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