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Assessment of visual function in chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia
C Y Yu Wai Man1, T Smith, P F Chinnery
1Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Eye (London, England)
|May 28, 2005
Summary
Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) significantly impairs vision in most patients. Visual function measures are crucial for understanding and treating this mitochondrial eye disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Genetics
- Neurology
Background:
- Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) is a rare mitochondrial myopathy affecting ocular muscles.
- Visual impairment is a common but often unquantified symptom in CPEO patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate visual function in CPEO patients using the Visual Function Index (VF-14).
- To identify specific visual disabilities in mitochondrial ocular myopathies.
- To correlate visual impairment with clinical ocular parameters.
Main Methods:
- 40 CPEO patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmological and orthoptic assessments.
- Visual function was assessed using the VF-14 via telephone interviews.
- Ocular parameters included visual acuity, ptosis, fundus examination, and visual fields.
Main Results:
- 95% of patients (38/40) had visual impairment.
- The mean VF-14 score was 72, indicating significant disability.
- Difficulty reading small print and night driving were most reported.
- No correlation found between VF-14 and ocular motility, ptosis, or retinopathy.
Conclusions:
- CPEO is strongly associated with substantial visual impairment.
- Visual disability assessment is essential for CPEO natural history and treatment studies.
- The VF-14 is a useful tool for quantifying visual function in CPEO.