Long-term results of low vision rehabilitation in age-related macular degeneration.
One to five years after successful low vision rehabilitation, 199 patients with age-related macular degeneration were asked by means of a questionnaire whether they still used their low vision aids and whether they were satisfied with the low vision counseling. We received feedback from 66% of the patients. 20 patients had already passed away. 74% of the 112 answering patients still use a low vision aid today. Three-quarters of them still use the originally prescribed low vision aid. Interestingly enough, the daily reading time was rather short, only 16% of the patients read more than 1 hour per day, 42% read somewhat more and 13% somewhat less than 10 minutes per day. Retrospectively, 81% of all responding patients found their low vision counseling at least a little, more of them quite or very helpful. These numbers suggest, that the initial labor of patiently examining and training older, visually handicapped patients is worthwhile.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011932:Reading; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012682:Sensory Aids; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*