Association between quality of life and visual characteristics in individuals with diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Aims: To estimate the vision-targeted quality of life (QoL) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients and further correlate the National Eye Institute-Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) score with demographic factors and visual function parameters. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 92 patients with type 2 DR. The Marathi version of the NEI-VFQ-25 was used to assess QoL. Visual acuity (VA) for distance and near vision was assessed using the logMAR distance and near acuity chart, contrast sensitivity (CS) was assessed using a Pelli-Robson chart, and color vision was assessed using the Ishihara chart. Results: The mean age was 65.08±17.56 ranging from 40 to 84 years participated in the study. Of the 92 patients with DR, 55.43% were male and 44.56% were female. The mean distance VA of the better eye was 0.7±0.29 logMAR. The mean near VA was 0.43±0.29 logMAR. The mean CS for the better eye was 0.95±0.50 log. The mean NEI-VFQ-25 composite score was 65.08±17.07. The subscales most affected were general health (50.7±20.16), mental health (52.22±25.03), and general vision (52.99±19.9). Conclusions: QoL was significantly lower among patients with DR. Mental health, general health, general vision, and near vision were mostly affected. There was a significant association between the NEI-VFQ-25 score and age. The NEI-VFQ-25 score decreased with increasing age. Visual function parameters, including distance VA, near VA, and CS, were significantly associated with the NEI-VFQ-25 score.