Development of a Chinese Version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (CHI-VFQ-25) as a Tool to Study Patients with Eye Diseases in Hong Kong
- Catherine W S Chan (cath0320{at}hku.hk),
- David Wong (dr.david.wong{at}mac.com),
- Cindy L K Lam (clklam{at}hku.hk),
- Sarah McGhee (smmcghee{at}hku.hk),
- Wico W Lai (wicolai{at}hku.hk)
- Eye Institute, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Eye Institute, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Department of Medicine, Family Medicine Unit, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Department of Community Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Eye Institute, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Published Online First 9 June 2009
Abstract
Background: To develop a Chinese version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (CHI-VFQ-25) and to test its reliability and validity in a group of patients with eye diseases in Hong Kong.
Methods: The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ) was translated into Chinese. Patients were recruited from Hong Kong and their demographic data and visual acuity were documented. Psychometric properties of the CHI-VFQ-25, including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, item-scale correlations and construct validity were tested.
Results: 250 patients were recruited. The mean age of the patients was 66.04 ± 14.00. 46% of them were male. The non-response rate and the floor and ceiling numbers of the CHI-VFQ-25 were calculated. The internal consistency was high in most subscales (except the general health and driving subscales), with Cronbach α ranging from 0.72-0.90. The test-retest reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.90). Patients with worse visual acuity had significantly lower scores on the CHI-VFQ-25 supporting construct validity.
Conclusion: The CHI-VFQ-25 is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the visual functions of Chinese patients with eye diseases in Hong Kong. Some questions had high non-response rates and should be substituted by the available alternatives.
