Abstract
Purpose: :
Some research suggests that individuals with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) may adapt differently than those with other visual disorders due to its relatively unique progression. The first phase of this study (ARVO, 2011) suggested that peripheral versus central vision loss is a larger determining factor than diagnosis for participation in visual rehabilitation. This second phase investigates if this pattern continues to be true for measures of perceived visual function and psychological well-being.
Methods: :
Cross-sectional data for individuals with RP (n=21), diabetic retinopathy (DR; n=21), and oculocutaneous albinism (n=19) were analyzed. Information was gathered from client files and by telephone interviews of the study participants. The Visual Function Index (VF-14) and the Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) Profile were used to measure perceived function, with the Brief COPE Inventory, Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Adaptation to Age-Related Vision Loss (AVL) Scale used to measure psychological well-being and adaptation to vision loss.
Results: :
A main effect of perceived visual function was found among the three diagnostic groups, where those with DR had the poorest scores and individuals with albinism the best, F(2,58)=3.50, p<.01. There were no significant differences in depression and coping ability among the three groups. However, IVI scores reflecting emotional well-being indicated that those with DR have significantly poorer well-being, followed by RP and albinism, F(2,58)=5.57, p<.01. Only perceived visual function and coping strategies were found to differ significantly among participants when they were grouped by central, peripheral, or central and peripheral loss (where those with a combined loss had poorer scores than those with either central or peripheral loss), F(2,58)=5.21, p<.05 and F(2,58)=8.01, p<.01, respectively. Emotional well-being specific to vision loss was found to correlate with time since diagnosis (r = -.4, p<.01), recent changes in vision (r = -.4; p<.01), depressive symptoms (r = .6; p<.001), and general adaptation to vision loss (r = -.5; p<.001).
Conclusions: :
These results suggest that there is a significant psychological influence on adaptation to vision impairment independent of the degree of vision loss and diagnosis as the duration since diagnosis, recent changes in vision, and peripheral loss only correlate with measures of psychological well-being and not with measures of remaining vision.
Keywords: low vision • quality of life