Unrecognized visual problems amongst residents of Part III Homes

A survey of visual function and ophthalmic pathology of 100 residents of three residential homes for elderly people was carried out in Lambeth London. The main pathologies were cataracts detected in half of the subjects (6% were referred for extraction) and chronic simple glaucoma in 17%. Unrecognized significant refraction errors were found in 34% of subjects. Only eight of the 14 residents eligible for blind or partially sighted registration had been already registered. It is suggested that old people entering residential care should have a competent geriatric or psychogeriatric assessment and, in addition to the annual general practitioner assessment for residents aged 75 and over, regular ophthalmic evaluation should be offered to residents of homes.