Abstract
Purpose :
Low light levels exacerbate performance deficits and are particularly challenging for adults with vision impairment. This is an important issue in the evaluation and monitoring of changes in performance following novel eye and vision therapies, as existing performance-based measures do not specifically consider low luminance conditions. This study aimed to identify low luminance activities of daily living (ADLs) relevant to adults with vision impairment as the basis for the development of a battery of timed low luminance vision-related performance-based measures.
Methods :
‘Group Concept Mapping’ (Concept Systems Inc., NY) was used to identify low luminance vision-related ADLs. The process integrates qualitative and quantitative research methods to produce concept maps and data displays, resulting in comprehensive visual representations of key ideas/activities and their interrelationships. In the first ‘brainstorming’ phase, 24 adults with vision impairment from a range of eye conditions (mean age 73, SD 14 years) and 26 international low vision experts (mean experience 22, SD 11 years) responded to the focus prompt (via mail, phone or a web-based application): “Thinking as broadly as possible, generate a list of statements detailing specific day-to-day activities a person with vision impairment might find challenging under low light conditions, such as in a poorly lit room or outside at dusk.” In the second phase, participants rated the importance of each activity generated and sorted activities by their similarity (in a face to face session or a via a web-based application).
Results :
113 potential ideas/activities were generated, rated and sorted. Using multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis, concept maps showing clusters of prioritised activities were produced from the data. Eight groups of activities were identified (from highest to lowest importance ratings): mobility hazard detection and safety; navigating outside the house; social communication; selfcare and safety at home; near reading; distance spot reading; home maintenance; and navigating around the house.
Conclusions :
The low luminance ADLs identified will be used to develop relevant and sensitive clinical endpoint measures for objectively assessing the efficacy of eye treatments and low vision rehabilitation outcomes in adults with vision impairment.
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.