Affiliations 

  • 1 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • 2 Universiti Teknologi MARA
Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2017;15(22):199-205.
MyJurnal

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the score of self-reported visual function index (VF-14) and its correlation with
best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the elderly population. Participants were elderly aged 60 years and above recruited
from the on-going population-based longitudinal study on neuroprotective model for healthy longevity (TUA). Visual
acuity was measured using logMAR chart. A self-reported visual function assessment was measured using modified
Bahasa Malaysia Visual Functioning Index (VF-14). A total of 482 (93.05%) from 518 subjects participated in this study.
Mean age was 69.18 ± 5.67 years old and mean best corrected VA was 0.21 ± 0.17 logMAR. Mean VF-14 score was 89.65
± 13.19. Female had lower mean score of self-reported visual function scores compared to male (meanfemale89.21 ± 12.76,
meanmale90.11 ± 13.65) but it was not statistically significant (z = -1.09,p = 0.277). There was a moderate but significant
correlation between VF-14 score and best corrected VA (r = -0.412, p < 0.01). In conclusion, the best corrected visual
acuity alone was not able to become as an indicator to describe changes in VF14 score. This study showed that it only
contributes 17.2% to changes in VF14 score. The combination of many other factors such as socio-demographic factors
(race, educational status, and health problems), contrast sensitivity and stereopsis should be taken into account when
assessing visual function as measured by VF14.