Abstract
Purpose: :
This study reports changes in LV device use and assistance performing activities after LV treatment.
Methods: :
The VA LV VFQ-48 was administered to patients enrolled in the Low Vision Intervention Trial (LOVIT) at baseline, 4-months and 1-year. Patients were asked how they perform each of the 48 activities (own eyes/eye glasses, low vision devices, non-visual devices/techniques or with assistance)?
Results: :
At baseline (before rehabilitation) 9% of patients in the treatment group and 8% of patients in the control group reported using LV devices to perform activities. At 1-year followup, after both groups received LV treatment, 29% of patients in the treatment group and 24% of patients in the control group reported using LV devices to perform activities. Assistance used to perform activities decreased from 20% at baseline to 8% at 1-year for the treatment group and from 22% to 13% for the control group. Both groups reported increased use of LV devices for reading activities. Reading device use increased from 18% at baseline to 68% at 1-year for the treatment group, and from 17% to 57% for the control group. Reading assistance used decreased from 33% at baseline to 5% at 1-year in the treatment group and from 37% to 16% in the control group. All statistical comparisons were significant, p<.05, with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.
Conclusions: :
After LV treatment, there was a significant increase in LV device use and a significant decrease in assistance used by LOVIT participants.
Clinical Trial: :
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00223756
Keywords: reading • low vision • age-related macular degeneration