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Oral and silent reading performance with macular degeneration
J E Lovie-Kitchin1, A R Bowers, R L Woods
1Centre for Eye Research, School of Optometry, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. j.lovie-kitchin@qut.edu.au
Summary
Near visual acuity and large print reading speed predict reading comprehension for macular degeneration patients using low vision devices (LVDs). Near visual acuity alone is a strong predictor for both oral and silent reading with LVDs.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Low Vision Research
- Visual Rehabilitation
Background:
- Previous studies linked very large print reading rates to oral reading performance with low vision devices (LVDs).
- The applicability of these findings to clinically relevant large print sizes for macular degeneration patients was unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if large print reading rates (2 degrees, 1.4 logMAR) predict oral rauding rates in macular degeneration patients using LVDs.
- To identify the best predictors of oral and silent rauding rates with LVDs in this population.
Main Methods:
- Assessed rauding rates (reading for understanding) in subjects with macular degeneration.
- Evaluated the predictive power of near word visual acuity and large print reading rates (without LVDs) on oral rauding rates (with LVDs).
Main Results:
- A combination of near word visual acuity and large print reading rate best predicted oral rauding rates with LVDs.
- Near word visual acuity alone was nearly as effective in predicting oral rauding rates.
- Near word visual acuity alone was the strongest predictor of silent rauding rates.
Conclusions:
- Near word visual acuity is a key factor in predicting reading performance with LVDs for macular degeneration patients.
- Established near visual acuity limits can serve as a clinical guide for expected oral and silent reading performance with LVDs.