Vision‑Related Quality of Life after Corneal Transplantation

To determine the vision‑related quality of life (VR‑QoL) and its dimensions in corneal transplant recipients.

This cross‑sectional study was carried out on 100 patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, satisfaction questionnaire, and Persian version of the 39‑item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI‑VFQ 39).

The composite score of VR‑QoL in corneal transplant recipients was 54.39 ± 9.22 (32.9–71.01). The highest mean score among subscales was related to color vision (74.75 ± 27.63) and the lowest related to dependency (31.06 ± 31.02). The results showed that there is a reverse correlation between VR‑QoL with both age (r = −0.364; P < 0.001) and the numbers of years after the transplantation (r = −0.362; P < 0.001). However, there was a correlation between satisfaction and VR‑QoL (r = 0.679; P < 0.001). Furthermore, the results showed that there is a significant difference in VR‑QoL between men and women (P < 0.001) and also a significant difference in VR‑QoL between unilateral and bilateral graft recipients (P < 0.001).

The corneal transplant has the highest impact on color vision and the lowest on dependency. Moreover, the results of this study provide a comprehensive picture for the state of vision and overall health status of patients for health‑care providers to enhance the patient care.