Visual Impairment and Low Vision Aids-A Comparison between Children and Adults

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Low Vision Rehabilitation
• Pediatric Ophthalmology

Background:

• This study investigates the distinct causes and low vision aid (LVA) fitting for pediatric versus adult visually impaired populations.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for tailoring visual rehabilitation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the etiology and types of low vision aids prescribed for children and adults.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of LVAs in improving visual acuity in both age groups.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 502 visually impaired patients (≥4 years old) who received LVAs between January 2016 and April 2020.
• Data collected included visual acuity, cause of vision impairment, and type of LVA prescribed.

Main Results:

• Albinism was the leading cause in children, while age-related macular degeneration (AMD) predominated in adults.
• Children exhibited significantly better pre-fitting distance (0.88 vs. 1.0 logMAR) and near (0.54 vs. 0.9 logMAR) visual acuity than adults.
• LVAs improved visual acuity in all patients, with optical aids being the most frequently prescribed (68.5%).
• Children predominantly received optical aids, whereas adults were more often prescribed electronic and acoustic aids.

Conclusions:

• Individually fitted LVAs, particularly optical aids, can restore reading ability and enhance distance vision for visually impaired patients.
• Significant differences exist in the etiology, severity of visual impairment, and LVA selection between pediatric and adult populations.