OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to translate/adapt and linguistically validate the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 Questionnaire to Romanian language and population.

METHODS: The study was conducted in three phases: forward translation (English to Romanian), back-translation to the English version and pilot-testing using cognitive interviewing techniques, respecting the ISPOR Principles of Good Practice. Two independent translators (specialized clinicians) were given the questionnaire for forward translation. Other two English and Romanian native speakers proposed the backward translation and, after reconciliation, English version was compared with the original instrument for consistency of translation. Finally, after harmonization of all translations, the Romanian version was evaluated in the pilot testing phase to improve the understanding of the translated instrument.

RESULTS: The provisional forward Romanian questionnaire was pilot tested and administrated to a sample of 20 Glaucoma patients, unfamiliar with the instrument, to evaluate the content. The respondents were 50% male, with mean age of 57.15 years (SD=8.6years). The questionnaire was easy to complete with an average time=3.2, SD=0.7 minutes. Overall, 90% of the participants in the pilot study stated that did not have any difficulties completing it and 85% indicated that there were no modifications necessary for improvement, with an acceptable style and format of the questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study illustrates that the documented linguistic validity was correctly done and can be used in future/ larger studies.