RT Journal Article T1 Development and initial validation of DESCAQ: A Rasch-based computer-adaptive questionnaire for assessing digital eye strain A1 González Pérez, Mariano A1 Barrio De Santos, Ana Rosa A1 Susi García, María Del Rosario A1 Pérez-Garmendia, Carlos A1 Antona Peñalba, Beatriz AB The purpose of this study was to develop the Digital Eye Strain Computer Adaptive Questionnaire (DESCAQ), a quick, easy-to-administer test for measuring digital eye strain in 8- to 65-year-old Spanish- and English speaking individuals. The Spanish DESCAQ was cross-culturally adapted to English using standardised methods. The English version was administered online to digital device users from the United Kingdom and the United States, and the responses were analysed using the partial credit model. In a simulation study, calibration parameters were employed for the purpose of optimising the configuration of the item bank. Test–retest repeatability was calculated by administering DESCAQ twice within weeks. The first administration's results were compared with Computer Vision Symptom Scale (CVSS)17 scores to assess convergent validity. Thirty-six items fitting the Rasch model were included in the final English version (38 items in the Spanish version). The reliability index was 0.95, sufficient to distinguish statistically up to eight levels of severity along the DES continuum. DESCAQ used 12.20 ± 2.15 items to complete the measure and provided the final score in 120.35 ± 69.18 s. The repeatability limit was 13.35 points and the two-way, single measure Intraclass Correlation Coefficient for test retest reliability was 0.884 (95% CI, 0.852–0.910). Spearman's correlation between DESCAQ and CVSS17 scores was 0.87 (p < 0.001). The DESCAQ is a quick, easy-to-interpret tool developed for researchers and clinicians. This web-based tool provides a valid, precise and reliable Digital Eye Strain score, categorised across eight severity levels. PB Blackwell Publishing SN 0275-5408 YR 2025 FD 2025-09 LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/125922 UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/125922 LA eng NO González-Pérez, M. et al. (2025) “Development and initial validation of DESCAQ: A Rasch-based computer-adaptive questionnaire for assessing digital eye strain,” Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists), 45(6), pp. 1326–1341. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.13540. NO Instituto de Salud Carlos III DS Docta Complutense RD 22 mar 2026