Functional Vision Loss Among Adults and Children: Literature Review and Comparative Analysis.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Functional vision loss (FVL) impacts individuals across all age groups.
• Understanding the differences in FVL presentation and contributing factors between adults and children is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare functional vision loss (FVL) in adults and children.
• To examine the presentation of FVL, including visual acuity loss (VAL) and visual field defects (VFDs).
• To identify biopsychosocial factors associated with FVL development in different age groups.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of studies from PubMed, Scopus, and PsycInfo databases was conducted.
• Included studies reported data on visual acuity loss (VAL), visual field defects (VFDs), psychiatric disorders, or biopsychosocial stressors in patients with FVL.
• Studies were excluded if they did not report specific outcomes for all patients or only a subset of FVL patients.

Main Results:

• Twenty-seven studies comprising 1,476 patients were included.
• Prevalence of VAL was similar in adults (80%) and children (83%).
• Visual field defects (VFDs) were more common in adults (86%) than children (50%).
• Psychiatric disorder prevalence was similar (42% adults vs. 23% children).
• Adults cited accidents/trauma (31%) as FVL causes, while children cited family stress (19%).

Conclusions:

• Visual field defects (VFDs) are more prevalent in adults with FVL compared to children.
• Distinct psychiatric and biopsychosocial stressors are associated with FVL in adults and children.
• Further research is needed to understand age-related differences in FVL and explore treatment options.