Vision-related quality of life in children cured of retinoblastoma

Purpose The aim was to assess visual functions in patients with retinoblastoma (Rb) after treatment and complete cure and the effect of this on quality of life by means of visual functioning questionnaire-39 (VFQ-39). Patients and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in the period from July 2017 to February 2018 in Ophthalmology Department, Ain Shams University Hospital, Retinoblastoma Clinic. A total of 30 patients were recruited at least after 1 year of complete cure from Rb. They were classified into two groups: group I included unilateral cases (15 patients), and group II included bilateral cases (15 patients). All children were subjected to detailed history, and ophthalmological examination included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), binocular and color vision assessment, and dilated fundus examination. Scoring of VFQ-25 and VFQ-39 subscales was conducted by the parents. Results Mean overall vision-related quality of life scores were 90.5 +/- 10.45 (range: 60.9-100) and 89.1 +/- 8.59 (range: 76.1-100) in groups I and II, respectively, with no difference of statistical significance being found between them (P=0.86), with marked affection of mental health in group II. A highly statistically significant negative correlation was found between each of BCVA (logMAR) and duration of therapy and the mean total score (r: -0.57, P=0.001, and (r: -0.41, P=0.04, respectively). Conclusion High scores regarding VFQ-25 and VFQ-39 subscales were achieved in older children with Rb, with no difference between unilateral and bilateral cases. BCVA and duration of therapy had a big influence on the results.