Low-vision questionnaire reliable, valid study shows

The Daily Living Tasks Dependent on Vision questionnaire is reliable and valid when used to assess functional impairment among age-related macular degeneration patients, a new study finds.

Jordana K. Schmier and colleagues at Exponent Inc., a research analysis firm, included the questionnaire in a survey they mailed to members of an AMD advocacy organization. The study “evaluated the psychometric properties of the [questionnaire] using patient-reported rates of use of services and devices in an outpatient population.” The researchers included questions on demographics and clinical characteristics, as well as questions regarding low-vision aid use and care giving needs, according to the study.

The survey was mailed to 803 patients, of whom 799 responded. These patients had a mean age of 73 years, and most respondents were men (56%).

The researchers found that the questionnaire showed discriminate validity and could distinguish between patients with different impairment levels. Construct validity also demonstrated moderate-to-high associations between the questionnaire and use of services and devices, the authors said.

The study was published in Ophthalmic Epidemiology.