Comparison of vision-related quality of life and mental health between congenital and acquired low-vision patients

Sang Uk Choi,Yeoun Sook Chun,Jeong Kyu Lee,Jee Taek Kim,Jae Hoon Jeong,Nam Ju Moon

doi:10.1038/s41433-019-0439-6

Sang Uk Choi, Yeoun Sook Chun + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-019-0439-6

Copy DOI

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the impact of the age of onset of low vision on patients’ vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL) and mental health.MethodsLow-vision patients who visited Chung-Ang University hospital from January 2012 to December 2014 were included. Patients were divided into the congenital low-vision (CLV) and acquired low-vision (ALV) groups according to the age of disease onset. People with normal visual function comprised the control group. VR-QoL was estimated with the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25), while mental health was assessed through the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The mean scores of each questionnaire were compared between the groups in independent t-tests.ResultsOverall, 125 low-vision patients (55 CLV and 70 ALV) and 71 control subjects were included. Although the subscale and composite scores of the NEI VFQ-25 were lower in the ALV group than in the CLV group, the differences were not significant. However, the BDI and BAI scores were significantly higher in the ALV group than in the CLV group (12.07 ± 11.97 vs. 7.67 ± 9.04, P = 0.021; 9.11 ± 10.51 vs. 5.69 ± 6.85, P = 0.030, respectively). Also, the number of patients requiring expert consultation for depression was higher in the ALV group than in the CLV group (P = 0.010).ConclusionALV patients have more vulnerable mental health states than CLV patients. Therefore, assessment of the age of onset of low vision and mental health plays a critical role in successful rehabilitation.

Highlights

Low vision has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be one of the major ophthalmologic problems requiring global attention [1]
In the low-vision group, there were no significant differences between the congenital low-vision (CLV) and acquired low-vision (ALV) groups in sex or area of residence; the CLV group was younger than the ALV group (P < 0.001)
The mean NEI VFQ-25 subscale and composite scores were significantly lower in the low-vision group than in the normal control group (Table 2), and were generally lower in the ALV group than in the CLV group

Summary

Introduction

Low vision has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be one of the major ophthalmologic problems requiring global attention [1]. Low-vision patients experience a reduced vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL) due to impaired visual function [6]. The final goal of low-vision rehabilitation is to improve the daily quality of life [7]. Objective assessment of VR-QoL in low-vision patients is an important part of the rehabilitation process. Low vision has been associated with lower psychosocial wellbeing, manifested as a loss of interest in and enjoyment of physical activities [8]. Reduced psychosocial wellbeing is expressed as an adverse mental health status, including feelings of social isolation, depression, and anxiety [9,10,11]. Impaired mental health can impact low-vision rehabilitation and even cause its failure

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion