Abstract
Purpose: To determine vision-specific and psychosocial implications of low vision among patients with low vision visiting the Low Vision Centre of the Eastern Regional Hospital in Ghana.Methodology: This was a descriptive case-control study of 41 patients with low vision and 41 patients with normal vision recruited from the Low Vision Centre of the Eastern Regional Hospital by simple random sampling. Data on vision-specific and psychosocial impacts of low vision was collected using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25). Biographical and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, educational status, marital status, employment and income status were gathered from consenting patients. Mann–Whitney U analysis using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) was conducted to compare scores on vision-specific and psychosocial subscales of the NEI VFQ-25 between patients with low vision and patients with normal vision.Results: Patients with low vision recorded the lowest score on the driving subscale (median = 8.33, IQR [interquartile range]: 8.33–41.67, n = 41, p < 0.001), as well as on distance activities (median = 35.42, IQR = 16.70–58.80). Psychosocial implications of low vision included high dependency (median = 33.33, IQR = 25.00–50.00), reduced mental health (median = 37.50, IQR = 25.00–50.00) and limitation in partaking in social activities (median = 50.00, IQR = 37.50–78.00).Conclusion: Low vision has both vision-specific and psychosocial implications for the patients. Low vision management and services should therefore be tailored to meet these psychosocial and vision-specific needs to enable patients better accept their visual changes and to be better prepared to use their remaining vision to achieve their daily goals.
Highlights
Low vision is considered a form of impaired visual function that exists despite treatment of any existing ocular disease and correction of refractive error, and is defined as decreased vision in the better eye worse than a visual acuity of 6/18 but better than light perception and/or a visual field constriction to less than 10° from point of fixation, with a potential to use remaining vision for planning or the execution of one’s daily task.[1,2]
The fact that cataract and refractive error continue to be the major cause of low vision coupled with early age of low vision reflects inadequate vision care, high cost of cataract surgeries, http://www.avehjournal.org
A multi-disciplinary team consisting of optometrists, low vision specialists, orientation and mobility therapists and psychologists working with low vision patients may enable them to psychologically better handle the situation and its limitations, facilitate access to low vision services and fulfil activities of daily living
Summary
Low vision is considered a form of impaired visual function that exists despite treatment of any existing ocular disease and correction of refractive error, and is defined as decreased vision in the better eye worse than a visual acuity of 6/18 but better than light perception and/or a visual field constriction to less than 10° from point of fixation, with a potential to use remaining vision for planning or the execution of one’s daily task.[1,2] Global and regional prevalence of low vision is on the increase,[3,4,5] making it an important public health issue. The challenge of managing low vision is enormous with huge economic implications.[6,7] Low vision is said to have implications for visual function and psychosocial well-being which may include the ability to perform activities of everyday living, depression or mental health and driving.[8,9,10] In developed countries, many studies have been conducted to understand the specific visual, functional and psychological challenges patients with low vision face which have informed management, intervention programs and services in those countries.[11,12] in Ghana, very few studies[13] have been conducted to assess the visual and psychosocial implications of low vision on patients living with low vision the national population census conducted in 2010 in Ghana indicated growing incidence of low vision in the country[14] for which reason a Low Vision Centre has been established to manage such patients. Understanding the specific challenges faced by patients with low vision is relevant in directing management and low vision services in Ghana with available and scare resources to improve quality of life, enable patients perform their everyday task and fit in society.
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