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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
A Standardized Obstacle Course for Assessment of Visual Function in Ultra Low Vision and Artificial Vision
Published on: February 11, 2014
Is adjustment of National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire scores for general health necessary in
Päivi H Miskala1, Neil M Bressler, Curtis L Meinert
1Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. pmiskala@jhmi.edu
Purpose:
To assess whether treatment comparison of National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ) scores in a clinical trial is influenced by general health to warrant adjusting for it.
Design:
Two randomized pilot trials.
Methods:
Patients enrolled in two randomized pilot trials of submacular surgery versus observation for choroidal neovascularization had quality of life interviews (NEI-VFQ and the Short Form-36 Health Survey) 24 months after enrollment. Information on comorbidities was collected through chart reviews. Data from 120 patients were analyzed using linear regression methods.
Results:
Adjustment for comorbidities did not change the magnitude of the treatment effect on NEI-VFQ scores. However, adjustment for Short Form-36 physical and mental component summaries produced changes in the estimated treatment effect when NEI-VFQ scores were compared.
Conclusions:
Adjustment of NEI-VFQ scores for general health may be advisable. The Short Form-36 summary scores may be appropriate for this purpose.
