A short questionnaire on visual function of older adults to supplement ophthalmic examination

Abstract

PURPOSE: To estimate frequency of self-reported visual dysfunction in specific life situations. METHODS: Performance-based measures of visual function were obtained during the 5-year follow-up examination of the Beaver Dam Eye Study cohort. During the subsequent yearly follow-up telephone call, four questions concerning visual abilities in specific situations were administered. RESULTS: Visual difficulties in everyday life situations were commonly reported by adults aged 48 to 91 years, with only 17% to 35% of persons reporting excellent or very good vision in the four specific situations related to visual function. Visual acuity, near vision, and contrast sensitivity measures do not reflect the visual difficulties encountered in common daily activities in our study population (Spearman correlation coefficients all less than 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: A few simple questions about visual function in common daily activities may give a clinician insights into patient complaints. It may be that environmental changes could improve self-reported visual function.