Roh, MiinSelivanova, AlexandraShin, Hyun JoonMiller, JoanJackson, Mary Lou2018-06-272018Roh, Miin, Alexandra Selivanova, Hyun Joon Shin, Joan W. Miller, and Mary Lou Jackson. 2018. “Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity are two important factors affecting vision-related quality of life in advanced age-related macular degeneration.” PLoS ONE 13 (5): e0196481. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196481. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196481.http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:37160350Purpose Vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has a profound effect on vision-related quality of life (VRQoL). The pupose of this study is to identify clinical factors associated with VRQoL using the Rasch- calibrated NEI VFQ-25 scales in bilateral advanced AMD patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 47 patients (mean age 83.2 years) with bilateral advanced AMD. Clinical assessment included age, gender, type of AMD, high contrast visual acuity (VA), history of medical conditions, contrast sensitivity (CS), central visual field loss, report of Charles Bonnet Syndrome, current treatment for AMD and Rasch-calibrated NEI VFQ-25 visual function and socioemotional function scales. The NEI VFQ visual function scale includes items of general vision, peripheral vision, distance vision and near vision-related activity while the socioemotional function scale includes items of vision related-social functioning, role difficulties, dependency, and mental health. Multiple regression analysis (structural regression model) was performed using fixed item parameters obtained from the one-parameter item response theory model. Results: Multivariate analysis showed that high contrast VA and CS were two factors influencing VRQoL visual function scale (β = -0.25, 95% CI-0.37 to -0.12, p<0.001 and β = 0.35, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.46, p<0.001) and socioemontional functioning scale (β = -0.2, 95% CI -0.37 to -0.03, p = 0.023, and β = 0.3, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.43, p = 0.001). Central visual field loss was not assoicated with either VRQoL visual or socioemontional functioning scale (β = -0.08, 95% CI-0.28 to 0.12,p = 0.44 and β = -0.09, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.16, p = 0.50, respectively). Conclusion: In patients with vision impairment secondary to bilateral advanced AMD, high contrast VA and CS are two important factors affecting VRQoL.en-USMedicine and Health SciencesGeriatricsGeriatric OphthalmologyMacular DegenerationOphthalmologyRetinal DisordersMacular DisordersRetinal DegenerationBiology and Life SciencesNeuroscienceSensory PerceptionVisionPsychologySocial SciencesAnatomyHeadEyesOcular SystemHealth CareQuality of LifeVisual ImpairmentsScotomaVisual AcuitySurvey ResearchQuestionnairesOcular AnatomyFovea CentralisJournal Article2018-06-2710.1371/journal.pone.0196481