Insights into inpatients with poor vision: A high value proposition

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Geriatrics
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Vision impairment is an overlooked risk factor for adverse events in hospitalized patients.
• Routine vision testing and documentation are lacking for inpatients.
• Low-cost, nonprescription reading glasses offer a potential high-value intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and efficacy of screening and correcting vision in hospitalized patients.
• To determine if nonprescription reading glasses can improve inpatient vision.

Main Methods:

• Vision screening using the Snellen chart was conducted by research assistants (RAs).
• Eligible participants failing the screen received nonprescription lenses.
• Descriptive statistics and comparative tests (t-tests, chi-squared tests) were used for analysis.

Main Results:

• Over 800 participants (n=853) were screened.
• Older adults (≥65 years) were significantly more likely to have vision impairment (56%) compared to younger adults (<65 years; 28%; P < 0.001).
• Nonprescription readers corrected vision in 82% (95/116) of eligible participants.

Conclusions:

• Low-cost reading glasses successfully corrected vision for the majority of identified inpatients with poor vision.
• Hospitalists and clinicians can identify opportunities to provide essential vision care to inpatients.
• This intervention represents a high-value addition to inpatient care.