May 2003
Volume 44, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2003
Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment in Nursing Home Residents: The SEEING Project
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • D.S. Friedman
    Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • S.K. West
    Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • B. Munoz
    Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • K. Bandeen-Roche
    Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • W. Park
    Lions Low Vision Center, Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • J. Deremeik
    Lions Low Vision Center, Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • R. Massof
    Lions Low Vision Center, Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • K. Frick
    Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • B. Aimee
    Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • W.B. McGill
    Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  D.S. Friedman, None; S.K. West, None; B. Munoz, None; K. Bandeen-Roche, None; W. Park, None; J. Deremeik, None; R. Massof, None; K. Frick, None; B. Aimee, None; W.B. McGill, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  NIH Grant AG15812
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2003, Vol.44, 788. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      D.S. Friedman, S.K. West, B. Munoz, K. Bandeen-Roche, W. Park, J. Deremeik, R. Massof, K. Frick, B. Aimee, W.B. McGill; Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment in Nursing Home Residents: The SEEING Project . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2003;44(13):788.

      Download citation file:


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

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To determine the prevalence and causes of low vision in a large sample of nursing home residents. Methods: 28 nursing homes on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware were enrolled in a clinical trial to assess the impact of vision restoration/rehabilitation on nursing home residents. Visual acuity was measured using both recognition charts and preferential looking techniques. An ophthalmologist examined all residents with visual acuity worse than 20/40 in the better-seeing eye and determined the primary cause for decreased vision. Results are reported for the better-seeing eye. Results: 1591 of 2544 (63%) of eligible residents participated, but 286 residents were unable to respond to visual acuity testing. 496 of the remaining 1305 residents had best-corrected vision worse than 20/40 in the better-seeing eye (38%), however, 27 of these were felt to have poor vision on the basis of cognitive impairment. Several refused an ophthalmic examination or had died prior to evaluation, but causes were ascribed for the 398 remaining subjects. Rates of low vision were similar between blacks and whites (39% and 38% respectively, age-adjusted p = 0.18). Cataract was the leading cause of low vision, responsible for 38% of low vision among whites and 53% of low vision among blacks. Macular degeneration was responsible for 33% of low vision among whites, but only 6% among blacks. Glaucoma caused low vision in 4% of whites and 10% of blacks. Macular degeneration and glaucoma were more common causes of low vision among older residents. Conclusions: Low vision is highly prevalent among nursing home residents with over 30% having vision worse than 20/40 in the better-seeing eye. Cataract is the leading cause of low vision, with cataract responsible for a higher proportion of low vision among black residents than among white residents. Macular degeneration is a common cause of low vision among white nursing home residents, but is rare among blacks, while glaucoma and cataract are more prevalent as a cause of low vision among blacks.

Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: pre • aging: visual performance • visual acuity 
×
×

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.

×