Prevalence and burden of self-reported blindness and low vision for individuals living in institutions: a nationwide survey.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of self-reported low vision (LV) and blindness, and their associated disabilities, handicaps and socio-economic consequences for individuals living in institutions are poorly documented.


METHODS
2,075 institutions were selected at random and eight individuals were picked at random from the list of residents. Three groups of individuals were defined: blind, LV, and a control group (CG). These were compared after adjustment for age and co-morbidities. Of the 15,403 individuals, 14,603 interviews (94.9%) were completed.


RESULTS
The prevalence of blindness was 1.6% and the LV 13.4%. Blind individuals needed assistance more often (OR: 2.65 to 11.35) than CG members while the assistance required by LV individuals was similar to that for the CG. Blind individuals required institution adaptation (building and furniture changes) more often than the CG. Blind (57.9%) and LV individuals (35.4%) were more often registered for social allowances. Monthly social allowances were EUR 86 higher for blind than LV individuals. Monthly family incomes were found to be similar between the three groups (from EUR 782 to 797). Social and demographic data, institution description, income, handicaps, disabilities, social allowances and details of daily activities were collected interviews.


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate the impact of self-reported blindness and LV on daily life for patients living in institutions.
Brézin
Antoine Pierre
AP
Hôpital Cochin, Service d'ophtalmologie, Université Paris 5, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, F-75679 Paris cedex 14, France. antoine.brezin@cch.ap-hop-paris.fr
Lafuma
Antoine
A
Fagnani
Francis
F
Mesbah
Mounir
M
Berdeaux
Gilles
G
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*