Validation of Farsi Translation of the Ocular Surface Disease Index.

Purpose: To develop and validate a Farsi version of Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) for the Iranian population.

Methods: This study was a translation and cross-cultural adaptation and validation of Farsi version of OSDI. Four bilingual (English-Persian) individual including three physicians and one native English teacher were asked to translate the original English OSDI questionnaire in Farsi. Following back and forth translation, integration and pilot check, the translation team came to consensus on translation. Consecutive patients visited in ophthalmology clinic, underwent comprehensive general ophthalmology exam and specific assessments for dry eye including non-anesthetic Schirmer's test, fluorescein tear break-up time, Fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining and Farsi OSDI (F-OSDI). F-OSDI was again rechecked within 2-7 days after the examination.

Results: Forty-four participants were enrolled into study. Thirty-two (72.7%) were male and 12 (27.3%) female. Mean age of participants was 45.5 (SD = ±15.97, range = 18-80) years. Twenty five percent were less than 31 years old and 10% percent older than 65. The cronbach's alpha for the questionnaire was 0.807. Questions number 7, 8 showed excellent, and question12 showed good internal consistency, respectively. There was a significant correlation between all pre measures and post assessments.

Conclusion: The obtained F-OSDI showed acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability. This F-OSDI could be used for assessment of dry eye, ocular surface discomfort and quality of life in Iranian and Farsi speaking populations.