Vision-Related Quality of Life in Danish Patients with Albinism and the Impact of an Updated Optical Rehabilitation

Abstract

(1) Background: Albinism is characterized by a lack of pigment in eyes, hair, and skin and developmental changes in the eye such as foveal hypoplasia. Patients require optical rehabilitation due to low vision, refractive errors, and photosensitivity. We aimed to assess vision-related quality of life in patients with albinism and to evaluate how this was affected by optical rehabilitation. (2) Methods: Patients with ocular or oculocutaneous albinism were invited for the study. Free-of-charge optical rehabilitation was provided as needed, including filters, glasses for near or distance, contact lenses, magnifiers or binoculars. Vision-related quality of life was assessed prior to and after optical rehabilitation using the visual function questionnaire (VFQ39) and the effect of optical rehabilitation was evaluated after accounting for age, gender, and visual acuity. (3) Results: Seventy-eight patients filled out the VFQ39 at the initial visit. Fifty patients (64.1%) returned the questionnaire 3–6 months after optical rehabilitation. The mean age of included patients was 35.9 years (standard deviation 16.6), and their best corrected distance visual acuity was 56 ETDRS letters (range 3–81). The VFQ39 composite score improved significantly from a median of 62.5 (range 14.2–77.0) to 76.5 (20.6–99.6). Significant improvements were seen for ocular pain, social functioning, mental health, role difficulties, and dependency, whereas self-assessed distance or near visual functions did not change. (4) Conclusions: Optical rehabilitation improved the self-reported vision-related quality of life in Danish patients with albinism on a number of parameters related to leading an independent and worry-free life, whereas visual improvement for distance and near tasks was likely limited by the nature of the disease and by the fact that most patients already had access to some optical aids prior to the study.