Purpose
To examine the visual function and eye care utilization of older adults residing in assisted living facilities (ALFs).
Methods
Vision screening events were held at 12 ALFs in Jefferson County, Alabama for residents ≥60 years of age. Visual function and eye care utilization as well as demographic variables, including cognitive status, were assessed.
Results
144 residents were screened. 67.8% failed the distance screening and 70.9% failed the near screening; 89.3% failed the contrast sensitivity screening. 62% of residents reported having their eyes examined within the past two years; 49% reported having had a dilated eye exam within the past two years. 40.4% of residents had cognitive impairment and 89% had a least one diagnosed eye condition. Visual acuities did not differ significantly between cognitive status groups or with greater numbers of eye conditions.
Conclusions
This study is the first to provide information about vision impairment in the assisted living population. Of those screened, 70% had visual acuity worse than 20/40 for distance or near vision, and 90% had impaired contrast sensitivity. Nearly half of participating residents had not received a comprehensive dilated eye examination in the previous two years. Cognitive impairment accounted for a small percentage of the variance in near vision and contrast sensitivity.
Keywords: 414 aging: visual performance •
463 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence