title: Vision, visual needs, and quality of life of older people in rural environments: a report and synthesis of a meeting.
abstract: Vision as an aspect of rural aging was a major portion of the First International Conference on Rural Aging. Various perspectives on the relationship of vision to rural aging were presented in two symposia, two paper sessions, one workshop and the poster session (a total of 28 presentations). In summarizing this rich and varied material, the author emphasizes that: (a) vision is important to maintaining a healthy, active life as one ages; (b) impaired vision is generally preventable or treatable; (c) well-designed community programs can assist in prevention and treatment; and (d) assessing the effects of these programs requires evaluation of patients' quality of life. More research is needed to refine strategies for creating, maintaining and evaluating community-based eye care programs and integrating them with existing public health or other community programs.
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University Eye Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Morgantown 26506-9193, USA. jodom@wvu.edu
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Odom
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D011157:Population Dynamics; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy