Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To assess the long–term outcome of low vision services on vision–related QOL and to compare the outcome of persons referred to optometric and multidisciplinary low vision services. Methods:From July 2000 to January 2003 consecutive patients who were referred to optometric or multidisciplinary low vision services and above 50 years of age were recruited from the Departments of Ophthalmology of four hospitals in the Netherlands. They completed two vision–related quality of life (QOL) questionnaires, the VCM1 and the LVQOL, before their first visit with the low vision services and one year later. In addition information on potential confounders was derived from patients’ records or by self–report. Results: Paired sample t–tests for the two groups of patients taken together show statistically significant improvement for the VCM1 (p = 0.02) and deterioration for the basic aspects of vision (p < 0.01) and the mobility (p < 0.001) subscales of the LVQOL. Patients referred to multidisciplinary low vision services had lower scores on the mobility subscale of the LVQOL than patients referred to optometric low vision services (p = 0.04). Conclusions: In conclusion, in contrast to studies with a relatively short follow–up, our results indicate a small decline in the ability of vision–related functioning and a small improvement in adjustment to vision loss in patients referred to low vision services at one year follow–up. In addition, no differences in vision–related QOL were found between participants in both groups, except that people referred to optometric services showed less deterioration in mobility.
Keywords: quality of life • low vision • aging