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Measurement of Tissue Oxygenation Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Published on: October 2, 2020
Visual impairment in elderly patients receiving long-term hemodialysis
Ernest Chiu1, Samuel N Markowitz, Wendy L Cook
1Nephrology Division, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
Elderly hemodialysis patients frequently experience visual impairments, impacting daily life. Over 95% had reduced visual acuity, with many meeting criteria for legal blindness, highlighting a need for vision assessment and rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Nephrology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Visual impairments significantly reduce quality of life and increase fall risk in the elderly.
- Dialysis patients are an aging population with increasing comorbidities.
- Previous data suggest a high prevalence of visual impairment in the general elderly population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of visual impairments in elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis.
- To evaluate visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and depth perception in this population.
- To investigate potential associations between visual impairment and cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted.
- Participants were patients aged 65 years or older on hemodialysis therapy.
- Vision was assessed using the Lighthouse Near Visual Acuity Test, Lea Screener, and Titmus Stereotest; cognitive function was evaluated with the Folstein Mini-Mental Status Examination.
Main Results:
- 95.6% of patients exhibited visual acuity below age-expected levels.
- 39.0% met criteria for legal blindness, 37.0% had poor contrast sensitivity, and 30.6% failed depth perception tests.
- Impaired depth perception correlated with lower Mini-Mental Status Examination scores (p=0.01).
Conclusions:
- Elderly hemodialysis patients demonstrate a high frequency of visual impairment.
- Formal low vision assessments and rehabilitation strategies may benefit this population.
- Further research is needed to clarify the link between depth perception deficits and cognitive decline in dialysis patients.
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