Undetected Visual Impairment Among Older People and Its Impact on Vision-Related Quality of Life: A Study Protocol

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Ageing is a continuous process of physiological changes that occur over time and affect both ability and function, including vision. A major health issue for older people is visual impairment, which affects both daily activities and quality of life. Undetect...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Carina Göransson, Jeanette Källstrand
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Nursing Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/4/125
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Summary:<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Ageing is a continuous process of physiological changes that occur over time and affect both ability and function, including vision. A major health issue for older people is visual impairment, which affects both daily activities and quality of life. Undetected visual impairment is a significant problem. Therefore, early detection is crucial to enable older people to optimise their vision and/or receive eye care. This study protocol aims to explore the prevalence of undetected visual impairment among the ageing population and its impact on their quality of life. <b>Methods:</b> This study has an exploratory design. We include participants attending a healthcare centre and participants attending an optician, aged 75 years and older, in Sweden. At baseline eye examinations, fundus photography, the National Eye Institute 25-item Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and health economic data are collected. Individual semi-structured interviews (<i>n</i> = 25–30) will then be conducted about older people’s experiences of visual impairment, both consequences and strategies for coping with visual impairment in daily life. The NEI VFQ-25 and health economic data will be collected at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study will provide important knowledge to facilitate early detection of visual impairment in older people, thereby providing a deeper understanding of methods to preserve visual function and quality of life despite the presence of visual impairment.
ISSN:2039-439X
2039-4403