Development and validation of the canine visual function instrument.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we created the Canine Visual Function Instrument (CVFI) and tested its validity and reliability for assessing the quality of vision of dogs. METHODS: We used Cronbach's alpha to test the strength of the consistency of the questions in the instrument and factor analysis to assess whether the questions achieved unidimensionality in the measurement of dogs' vision quality. RESULTS: Our analysis shows that the CVFI is a valid and reliable tool to seek self-reported observations about dogs' vision quality from owners. Our results also show that the vision quality scale has high empirical validity and therefore can be used to determine whether a dog has normal vision or moderate or serious visual impairments. CONCLUSION: The CVFI might have important practical applications in the field of veterinary ophthalmology in two important ways. First, it can be used to determine whether the treatment of dogs with visual impairment improves vision quality. Second, it can be used as a warning system to alert owners about their dogs' quality of vision.