The Refractive Status and Vision Profile (RSVP): Translation into Persian, reliability and validity

To translate and test the reliability and validity of a Persian translation of the Refractive Status and Vision Profile (RSVP), a vision-related quality of life questionnaire, in Iran.

Forward & backward translation, committee review and pilot testing were performed to develop a final Iranian version of the RSVP. Seventy-three consecutive patients with refractive error before or after refractive surgery at the LASIK ward of Farabi Eye Hospital completed the questionnaire. A convenience sample of 14 patients completed the questionnaire twice within one week. Reliability was measured by internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and the intraclass correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability. Validity was evaluated by correlation between the different RSVP subscales, known groups comparison analysis, and correlation between the subscales versus global items and traditional clinical measures.

Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha : 0.71-0.92; except for the subscale expectations, alpha : 0.6). Test-retest reliability of subscales and the overall RSVP scale, as estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient, was high except for optical problems and glare. Comparisons between pre- and post-operative groups of patients showed significantly higher (worse) scores for concern, physical/social functioning, and the overall score in the pre-operative group. Almost all subscales showed desirable inter-scale correlations.

The Iranian version of the RSVP is a reliable and valid measure of vision-related quality of life in patients with refractive error.