Evaluation of vision in slow-stream wards

Two hundred and twenty-one patients in slow-stream geriatric wards in the Portsmouth district were questioned about their vision; 159 of these were examined. It was possible to give help with vision to 21 per cent of patients and to give a further 6 percent help with other eye problems. Eighteen months later, when half the patients examined had died, 14 per cent of those still alive were continuing to enjoy their improved vision, and 6 per cent were benefitting from the help they had received with other eye problems. As a result, we recommend that all admissions should be assessed with regard to their visual ability and that all those with adequate mental faculties should be examined by an ophthalmologist or an optician on admission and when necessary therafter.