Relationship between vision-related quality of life and microperimetry-determined macular sensitivity in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

Purpose The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) following the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) and the macular sensitivity determined by microperimetry in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods The Japanese version of the NEI VFQ-25 was used to assess the VRQOL of 30 patients with typical RP whose decimal visual acuity was ≥0.6. The mean retinal sensitivity within the central 10° was determined by fundus-related microperimetry (MP1). The correlation between the mean of the total composite NEI VFQ-25 score and MP1-determined macular sensitivity was determined. Results Mean NEI VFQ-25 score was 69.4 ± 14.5 (range 34.6–90.3) in RP patients. There was a significant positive correlation between mean NEI VFQ-25 score and mean retinal sensitivity within 10° ( r = 0.673, P = 0.0003). Conclusion The significant correlation between macular sensitivity and VRQOL measured with the NEI VFQ-25 indicates that sensitivity in the macular area is an important consideration in using VRQOL with RP patients.