Vision-related quality of life in patients with complete homonymous hemianopia post stroke.

PURPOSE

The aim is to determine the characteristics of vision-specific quality of life restriction using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and Veterans Affairs Low Vision Visual Function Questionnaire (VA LV VFQ-48) in patients with complete homonymous hemianopia (HH) post stroke.

METHOD

Prospective cohort study of patients with complete HH compared to age- and gender-matched subjects with normal visual fields.

RESULTS

In the NEI VFQ-25, scores on five subscales were significantly reduced after multiple logistic regression accounting for vision and comorbidities. The five subscales are vision-specific social functioning, vision-specific mental health, vision-specific dependency, driving, and peripheral vision. In the VA LV VFQ-48 postregression analysis, mobility is the only domain that is significantly affected in the people with HH.

CONCLUSION

Identification of the significant areas of visual difficulties and their effects on quality of life is important as it can help better address the patients' rehabilitation needs. The current study identifies the need for orientation and mobility training as well as independent living rehabilitation in patients with HH to help address the difficulties in their vision-specific quality of life and maximize their residual vision.