Abstract
Purpose::
To determine vision conditions and ocular findings in patients older than 80 years of age.
Methods::
Total of 150 patients, divided in three groups: 70 between 80 and 89 years (Group 1); 50 between 90 and 99 years (Group 2) and 30 over 100 years old (Group 3) were examined (visual acuity, ectoscopy, refraction, biomicroscopy, tear film break-up time, Schirmer basal test, aplannation tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography).
Results::
The gender ratio was 61.4% females in Group 1, 70% in Group 2 and 83.3% in Group 3. Arterial hypertension was the most common systemic disease in all three groups. Percentage of patients already submitted to ocular surgery was: 31.4% in Group 1, 56% in Group 2 and 50% in group 3. Cataract surgery had been performed in 23% in Group 1, 54% in Group 2 and 46.67% in Group 3.The number of patients satisfied with their current vision was: 74.3% in Group 1, 54% in Group 2 and 40% in Group 3. The initial Best Corrected Far Visual Acuity (BCFVA) was 20/40 or better at least in one eye in 47% patients from Group 1, 20% in Group 2 and none in Group 3. After refraction changed to: 64% in Group 1, 30% in Group 2 and none in Group 3. The percentage of blind patients considering the BCFVA (< 20/400) was: 5.8% in Group 1, 8% in Group 2 and 23.3% in Group 3. The initial Best Corrected Near Visual Acuity (BCNVA) was 20/40 or better at least in one eye in 75% of Group 1, 58% of Group 2 and 26.7% from Group 3. After refraction it changed to 76% (114): 88.6% Group 1, 72% Group 2 and 53.4% Group 3. The most frequent visual complaint was low vision for reading. Age related macular degeneration was found in 31% in Group 1, 66% in Group 2 and in 90% in group 3.
Conclusions::
The number of females increased significantly from Group 1 to Group 3. Visual acuity improved with refraction allowing better quality of life. AMD and cataract were the main cause of visual impairment and blindness. Current findings indicate that we should concentrate efforts in accurate refractive prescriptions, cataract and AMD for patients that age.
Keywords: aging • quality of life • visual acuity