Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9570
ISSN: 2155-9570
Mahesh Kumar Dev
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2013
Visual impairment (VI) has a significant negative impact on quality of life (QoL) among older people living in nursing-home. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of VI and blindness and to explore the association between severities of VI on vision-specific QoL among older people living in nursing-homes of Kathmandu, Nepal. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 158 residents of 60 years or older residing in seven nursing-homes of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Near acuity, presenting and the best corrected distance visual acuity (VA) was assessed in each eye and considered in the better eye after adequate refraction. Complete anterior and posterior segment examination was carried out. Face-to-face interview was conducted by using 57- item Nursing Home Vision-Targeted Health-Related Quality of Life (NHVQoL) questionnaires. Results: The mean age of residents was 75.60 ± 7.12 years and the majority was female (66.46 %). The prevalence of VI and blindness was 45.57% and its leading cause was cataract, which was followed by age-related macular degeneration, corneal opacity, glaucoma and macular scar. The mean composite score of NHVQoL was 52.22 ± 12.49. There was a consistent overall deterioration in the mean composite score as well as subscales score of NHVQoL with the worsening of VA.