Correlation between contrast sensitivity and national eye institute visual function questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) Rasch scores in patients with open-angle glaucoma: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

We examined the relationship between contrast sensitivity (CS) and visual field stage/severity in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG), and correlated CS with Quality of Vision (QOV) scores.

Methods

CS was measured under photopic (100 cd) and mesopic (10 cd) conditions in 218 eyes of 109 patients with OAG aged < 60 years. The glaucoma stages were divided into four groups according to the mean deviation (MD) of the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) 24 − 2 or 10 − 2 Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) standard, and their relationship with CS was examined.

Results

The results of the Japanese version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) in 79 patients were converted into Rasch scores and correlated with CS. Both HFA24-2 and 10 − 2 showed statistically significant improvements in all items except 10.2 cycles per degree (cpd) under mesopic conditions where CS decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Correlations between CS and NEI VFQ-25 Rasch scores were stronger in the worse eye (WE) at HFA24-2, 10 − 2, and foveal sensitivity thresholds. The measurement results strongly correlated under photopic conditions. Comparing the correlations at HFA24-2, 10 − 2, and foveal sensitivity thresholds, the correlation was strongest at the foveal sensitivity threshold.

Conclusions

CS declines with progression in the visual field stage or severity. QOV score tends to decreases with a decline in CS.