Vision-related quality of life and visual function after vitrectomy for various vitreoretinal disorders

To investigate vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) in patients undergoing vitrectomy for various vitreoretinal disorders and to evaluate the relationship between VR-QOL and visual function.

The study included 100 normal control subjects and 299 patients with various vitreoretinal disorders including proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), diabetic macular edema (DME), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), macular hole (MH), epiretinal membrane (ERM), and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD). The 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) was answered by the patients with vitreoretinal disorders before and 3 months after pars plana vitrectomy, as well as by the normal control subjects. Clinical data were collected, including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and severity of metamorphopsia.

Vitrectomy significantly improved the VFQ-25 composite score in all vitreoretinal disorders. Preoperative VFQ-25 composite scores in MH and ERM were significantly higher than those in PDR, DME, and BRVO. Postoperative VFQ-25 composite scores were significantly higher in MH, ERM, and RD than in PDR, DME, BRVO, and CRVO. A greater improvement in the VFQ-25 composite score was observed in ERM than in DME. Multiple regression analysis revealed that changes in contrast sensitivity had a significant correlation with changes in the VFQ-25 composite score in PDR and DME. Changes in metamorphopsia were significantly associated with changes in the VFQ-25 composite score in MH and ERM.

Vitrectomy significantly improved VR-QOL in various vitreoretinal disorders. The largest improvement in VR-QOL was observed in ERM and smallest improvement in DME. The visual function parameters associated with VR-QOL are different depending on vitreoretinal disorders.