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

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 65.0817.56ranging 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 0.70.29 logMAR.The mean near VA was 0.430.29 logMAR.The mean CS for the better eye was 0.950.50log.The mean NEI-VFQ-25 composite score was 65.0817.07.The subscales most affected were general health (50.720.16),mental health (52.2225.03),and general vision (52.9919.9). 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.