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Relationship between visual impairment and eye diseases and visual function in Andhra Pradesh.
Rishita Nutheti1, Jill E Keeffe, Bindiganavale R Shamanna
1International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India. rishita@lvpei.org
Ophthalmology
|August 7, 2007
Summary
Visual impairment and eye diseases significantly reduce functional vision in older adults in Andhra Pradesh. Glaucoma, corneal, and retinal diseases impact vision independently, while cataracts affect it based on visual acuity.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Gerontology
Background:
- Visual impairment is a significant public health concern in aging populations.
- Understanding the impact of specific eye diseases on visual function is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of visual impairment and various eye diseases on visual function in the elderly population of Andhra Pradesh, India.
- To validate the Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ) for measuring functional vision in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cross-sectional study involving 7363 participants aged 16 and older from the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study.
- Detailed ocular examinations and interviews were conducted for 3676 participants aged 40 and older.
- The psychometric properties of the VFQ were evaluated, and its scores were analyzed against visual acuity, eye diseases, and demographic factors.
Main Results:
- The VFQ demonstrated high internal consistency and adequate item-total correlations.
- Visual impairment was significantly associated with lower functional vision scores.
- Glaucoma, corneal disease, and retinal disease independently lowered functional vision scores, irrespective of visual acuity.
- Cataracts showed a significant impact on functional vision when visual acuity was not considered.
Conclusions:
- The Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ) is a reliable tool for assessing functional vision in older adults with diverse visual conditions in Andhra Pradesh.
- Presenting visual acuity is a key determinant of functional vision.
- Specific eye diseases like glaucoma, corneal disease, retinal disease, and cataracts significantly impact functional vision, with varying degrees of independence from visual acuity.
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