Purpose: We sought to test the applicability of a well-documented visual function assessment (VF-14) in corneal disease patients wait-listed for penetrating keratoplasty to determine if it would be a valuable addition to a priority scheme.
Methods: A systematic random sample of patients wait-listed for penetrating keratoplasty in British Columbia was selected and administered the VF-14.
Results: The mean VF-14 score was 67.2; it was correlated with best corrected vision. Immigrants had lower VF-14 scores and they considered fewer of the questions applicable to them. There was a correlation between the number of questions considered applicable and the VF-14 score.
Conclusions: As currently constituted the VF-14 is probably not a useful tool in a multi-cultural population in North America. We propose revisions to the visual function assessment and suggest its inclusion in a priority scheme for penetrating keratoplasty that also includes pain and other clinical indices.