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Multicenter Study
. 2012 Aug;130(8):1028-37.
doi: 10.1001/archophthalmol.2012.1197.

Baseline traits of low vision patients served by private outpatient clinical centers in the United States

Judith E Goldstein, Robert W Massof, James T Deremeik, Sonya Braudway, Mary Lou Jackson, K Bradley Kehler, Susan A Primo, Janet S Sunness; Low Vision Research Network Study Group
Collaborators
Multicenter Study

Baseline traits of low vision patients served by private outpatient clinical centers in the United States

Judith E Goldstein et al. Arch Ophthalmol. 2012 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the traits of low vision patients who seek outpatient low vision rehabilitation (LVR) services in the United States.

Methods: In a prospective observational study, we enrolled 764 new low vision patients seeking outpatient LVR services from 28 clinical centers in the United States. Before their initial appointment, multiple questionnaires assessing daily living and vision, physical, psychological, and cognitive health states were administered by telephone. Baseline clinical visual impairment measures and disorder diagnoses were recorded.

Results: Patients had a median age of 77 years, were primarily female (66%), and had macular disease (55%), most of which was nonneovascular age-related macular degeneration. More than one-third of the patients (37%) had mild vision impairment with habitual visual acuity (VA) of 20/60 or greater. The VA correlated well with contrast sensitivity (r = -0.52) but poorly with self-reported vision quality. The intake survey revealed self-reported physical health limitations, including decreased endurance (68%) and mobility problems (52%). Many patients reported increased levels of frustration (42%) and depressed mood (22%); memory and cognitive impairment (11%) were less frequently endorsed. Patients relied on others for daily living support (87%), but many (31%) still drove.

Conclusions: Most patients seeking LVR are geriatric and have macular disease with relatively preserved VA. The disparity between VA and subjective quality of vision suggests that LVR referrals are based on symptoms rather than on VA alone. Patients seen for LVR services have significant physical, psychological, and cognitive disorders that can amplify vision disabilities and decrease rehabilitation potential.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Distribution of age by sex of new patients seeking outpatient low vision rehabilitation services.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Frequency of self-reported vision quality for different levels of better-eye habitual visual acuity.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Frequency of patients who reported current or past use of vision-assistive equipment. CCTV indicates closed-circuit television.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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