May 2005
Volume 46, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2005
Characteristics of Low Vision Patients: Comparison of Clinic and Statewide Samples
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • M.J. Leys
    Ophthalmology WVU, RC Byrd Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV
  • C.T. Walker
    Sociology, WV Survey Center, Morgantown, WV
  • R. Althouse
    Sociology, WV Survey Center, Morgantown, WV
  • H.L. Humble
    Ophthalmology WVU, RC Byrd Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV
  • W. Smith, III
    Ophthalmology WVU, RC Byrd Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV
  • J.V. Odom
    Ophthalmology WVU, RC Byrd Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  M.J. Leys, None; C.T. Walker, None; R. Althouse, None; H.L. Humble, None; W. Smith, III, None; J.V. Odom, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  CMS 18–C–9137212
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2005, Vol.46, 1928. doi:
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    • Get Citation

      M.J. Leys, C.T. Walker, R. Althouse, H.L. Humble, W. Smith, III, J.V. Odom; Characteristics of Low Vision Patients: Comparison of Clinic and Statewide Samples . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2005;46(13):1928.

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

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:We compared low vision patients seen at the Appalachian Center for Vision Rehabilitation (ACVR) with those identified in a previous statewide survey to determine if those who access low vision treatment differ from those who do not access treatment. Methods: We conducted a telephone survey of 417 patients seen at ACVR and of 1026 randomly selected households in WV. Based on reported difficulty in reading ordinary newsprint, we classified 330 of the clinical group and 107 of the random sample as having low vision. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in gender or income. The clinic sample was more likely to be older (p < .0001), to be unemployed (p < .0001); and to have medical insurance (p = .012). The clinic patients rated their vision health as worse (p = .002), were referred to ophthalmic specialist more often (p = .013) and received treatment more frequently (p = .007). Clinic patients also reported greater ocular pain (p = .038) and greater difficulties on all 20 questions about activities of daily living (ADL, p < .0001). Conclusions: Overall the low vision patients seen in the ACVR clinic differed from those in our statewide sample. The clinic population appeared to have greater need in that they rated their vision as poorer, reported greater pain, and had more difficulties with ADLs. Moreover, they seemed better able to pay for vision rehabilitation services as they were more likely to have insurance.

Keywords: low vision • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • quality of life 
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