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Comparative Study
. 2021 Jul:227:53-65.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2021.03.016. Epub 2021 Mar 27.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals Across the Spectrum of Visual Impairment

Wesam S Shalaby  1 , Annamalai Odayappan  2 , Rengaraj Venkatesh  2 , Bonnielin K Swenor  3 , Pradeep Y Ramulu  3 , Alan L Robin  4 , Kavitha Srinivasan  5 , Aakriti Garg Shukla  6
Affiliations
Comparative Study

The Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals Across the Spectrum of Visual Impairment

Wesam S Shalaby et al. Am J Ophthalmol. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: TO assess perceptions and implications of COVID-19 infection across the spectrum of individuals with visually impairment (VI) and those with normal sight.

Design: Prospective cross-sectional comparative study.

Methods: Setting: institutional.

Patients: 232 patients and their caregivers. Four groups were created based on better eye characteristics: blind (best-corrected distance visual acuity [BCDVA] <3/60 or visual field <10 central degrees); severe VI (BCDVA ≤3/60 to <6/60; vertical cup-to-disc ratio ≥0.85 or neuroretinal rim width ≤0.1); moderate VI (BCDVA ≤6/60 to <6/18); or no or mild VI (controls: BCDVA ≥6/18) based on International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria and Foster and Quigley's consensus definition of glaucoma.

Procedure: telephone questionnaires.

Main outcome measures: differences in perceptions and implications of COVID-19 infection across various levels of VI. Caregiver perceptions were a secondary outcome measure.

Results: Surveys were completed by 232 participants, with 58 participants in each VI group. Mean age was 58.9 ± 13.2 years old. Greater degrees of VI were associated with older age (P = .008) and lower education level (P = .046). Blind participants more commonly perceived vision as a risk factor for contracting COVID-19 (P = .045), were concerned about access to health care (P <.001), obtained news through word of mouth (P <.001), and less commonly wore masks (P = .003). Controls more commonly performed frequent handwashing (P = .001), were aware of telemedicine (P = .029), and had fewer concerns about social interactions (P = .020) than groups with substantial VI. All caregivers reported more frequent patient care since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Conclusions: The pandemic might have had a disproportionate impact on the visually impaired, and evidence-based assessments of COVID-19 health outcomes in this population are warranted.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participant responses regarding COVID-19 preventive measures. (Left) All participants’ responses. (Right) Each group's response regarding mask-wearing and frequent handwashing.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Participants’ responses regarding COVID-19 contraction risk or poor outcomes in the setting of vision status or eye treatment. (Left) All participants’ responses. (Right) Each group's response regarding vision as a risk factor for COVID-19 contraction.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Participants’ responses regarding concerns during COVID-19. (Left) All participants’ responses. (Right) Each group's response regarding concerns about health care access and social interactions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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