Vision-related quality-of-life assessment using NEI VFQ-25 in patients after Boston keratoprosthesis implantation.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation on patient-reported visual function using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEI VFQ-25).

METHODS

This is a prospective study of patients undergoing implantation of Boston KPro. The NEI VFQ-25 was used to assess vision-related quality of life preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 and 6 months and yearly thereafter. Baseline scores were compared with postoperative scores using paired t test. Stratified analysis was performed to compare results by visual acuity of the contralateral eye.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients were included. Mean baseline NEI VFQ-25 overall score was 44.6. At the first follow-up time point, mean overall score was 70.0, representing a statistically significant change from baseline (P < 0.001). Breakdown of subcategories within VFQ-25 showed significant improvement in general vision, near and distance activities, social functioning, mental health, role difficulties, dependency, color vision, and peripheral vision (P < 0.05). This improvement was also observed when comparing baseline scores with postoperative scores at average follow-up of 16 months. Although a greater change in scores was observed in patients who had poor vision in the contralateral eye, patients with vision better than 20/200 in the nonsurgical eye showed statistically significant improvement in overall scores and subscale scores compared with baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of life of patients who underwent KPro significantly improved postoperatively compared with their preoperative status. These results did not change when stratifying by visual acuity of the contralateral eye.