May 2008
Volume 49, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2008
Low Vision in Elderly - Causes, Functional Vision, Perception of Limitations and Visual Rehabilitation in University Low Vision Service
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • K. M. Carvalho
    Ophthalmology, FCM UNICAMP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • G. B. Monteiro
    Ophthalmology, FCM UNICAMP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • S. M. C. Castro
    Ophthalmology, FCM UNICAMP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • E. Temporini-Nastari
    Ophthalmology, FCM UNICAMP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  K.M. Carvalho, None; G.B. Monteiro, None; S.M.C. Castro, None; E. Temporini-Nastari, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  None.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2008, Vol.49, 3159. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      K. M. Carvalho, G. B. Monteiro, S. M. C. Castro, E. Temporini-Nastari; Low Vision in Elderly - Causes, Functional Vision, Perception of Limitations and Visual Rehabilitation in University Low Vision Service. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2008;49(13):3159.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose: : To determine the causes of low vision and to verify the elderly satisfaction with the prescribed optical aids in university low vision service.

Methods: : A cross-sectional study was conducted. The elderly patients underwent ophthalmologic reevaluation and answered the low vision quality of life questionnaire (LVQOL). The sample comprised 86 elderly people, aged 50-90 years, attended in 2001, 2002 and 2005.

Results: : Severe low vision occurred in 44.2%. Near blindness vision occurred in 8.1%. The main cause of vision loss was age-related macular degeneration (60.0%). The sample bulk (69.8%) was made up of low-schooling subjects and 15.1% were illiterate. Effective use of optical aids occurred in 68.6% of those who received prescriptions. The reasons for no prescription were mainly low education level, satisfactory vision for daily living activities and too severe ocular disease. A significant functional improvement was observed after prescribing the optical aid, mainly aiming near reading for writing and manual works. It was observed a medium degree of difficulty to perform all the daily activities, to see with overshadow, see plates on the street, see in general and see steps and holes in the ground. The self-evaluation of the benefits from the use of optical aids noticed the partial meet of demands. On the interviewed perception, changes in daily life activities occurred due to the use of optical aid. Reading facilitation was stated on a statistical relevant way by the individuals aged 50-69 years. The best improvement in activities occurred in individuals over 70 years old.

Conclusions: : The major part of the individuals opined that it was worthwhile to use the optical aids, although declared to have had little or regular help. The use of residual vision in a low vision elderly population is preferential, considering the social context and the independence necessary to improve quality of life.

Keywords: low vision • quality of life • aging 
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×