Comparison of visual acuity and glare-affected visual acuity as predictors for vision-related quality of life and fall risk

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Training & Quality of Vision

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 3

First Author: : K.Shih HONG KONG

Co Author(s): :    J. Yang   A. Fok   C. Liao   J. Lai              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

1) To determine visual acuity, glare-affected visual acuity, ophthalmic disease spectrum, fall risk and vision-related quality of life in elderly subjects in the community setting 2) To compare accuracy of visual acuity and glare-affected visual acuity in predicting fall risk and vision-related quality of life in elderly subjects.

Setting:

A cross sectional observational study was conducted on consecutive attendees at the Wilson T.S. Wang District Elderly Community Centre in the New Territories, Hong Kong on a single day.

Methods:

Clinical assessment included Snellen Chart visual acuity (VA), glare-affected visual acuity and documentation for ophthalmic disease. Glared-affected visual acuity was measured using the EpiGlare Handheld Desk Kit with the Snellen Chart at the same distance under the same ambient lighting. Each subject completed the Morse Fall Scale, and the Catquest-9SF questionnaire for vision-related quality of life. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics software.

Results:

In total 24 consecutive subjects underwent assessment. Average age was 75.42 ± 17.01 with 75% of subjects being female. 54.2% of subjects had cataracts, with 76.9% of them already having undergone cataract surgery, while 4.2% of subjects had confirmed glaucoma. Both visual acuity and glare-affected visual acuity showed an inverse correlation with Catquest-9SF weighted score, with glare-affected visual acuity showing a stronger correlation comparatively. Average Morse Fall score was 9.05 ± 12.90, with no demonstrated relationship with both types of visual acuity and quality of life.

Conclusions:

Glare-affected visual acuity may be comparatively superior as an assessment tool for predicting vision-related quality of life compared to Snellen chart visual acuity alone. This finding should be further investigated with a large prospective cohort.

Financial Disclosure:

None