Assessing the Validity and Reliability of the Effects of Youngsters’ Eyesight on Quality of Life Questionnaire Among Children With Uveitis

Objective: The Effects of Youngsters’ Eyesight on Quality of Life (EYE-Q) questionnaire measures vision-related functioning (VRF) and vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) in children with uveitis. Our aim was to revise the alpha version of the EYE-Q to refine VRF and VRQoL subscales and to assess the validity of the EYE-Q. Methods: Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), JIA-associated uveitis, and other noninfectious uveitis were enrolled. Patients and parents completed the EYE-Q, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (overall quality of life), and Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (physical functioning). The development site completed the alpha version of the EYE-Q, and the composite sites completed the beta version. We compared item-subscale correlations, internal consistency, and construct and discriminant validity among the different versions. Results: Of the 644 patients enrolled, 61.6% completed the alpha version, and 38.4% the beta version of the EYE-Q. Mean ± SD patient age was 11.1 ± 4.2 years, and 70% were female. Fewer White patients (73.5%) completed the alpha version compared to the beta version (86.2%; P < 0.001). With the exception of patient-reported VRF, both versions had similar item-subscale correlations. Version comparisons on scale internal consistencies indicated significant differences for parent- and patient-reported VRF, but each scale had a Cronbach's α of >0.80 beta. When data were combined, the EYE-Q showed significant differences between JIA-only and uveitis patients on all parent and patient scores, except for patient-reported VRF. Conclusion: The EYE-Q appears to be a valid measure of VRF and VRQoL in pediatric uveitis. Our results suggest it may be used as an outcome measure in multicenter pediatric uveitis studies.