Measurement of Quality of Life with Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Patients with Vitreoretinal Conditions
Vitreoretinal eye conditions have a major impact on people’s quality of life (QOL). To quantify QOL, patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) should be used. These are standardized, validated questionnaires that elicit information from the patient about a given outcome. PROMs can be used for screening, symptom monitoring, needs assessment, patient-centered care, shared decision-making, and to evaulate treatment effectiveness. Current PROMs for retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, vitreomacular traction, and vitreous floaters have irrelevant or limited content, beacuse patients were not involved when creating the questions in the PROM. They are also rarely validated.