Prevalence of visual handicap in the elderly institutionalised population in the Geneva area.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of visual impairment in the elderly population in geriatric homes in an urban area.


METHODS
A sample of 96 patients from 8 geriatric homes ["Etablissements Médico-Sociaux" (EMS)] in the Geneva area were examined. The NEI-VFQ-25 modified questionnaire was used. Visual acuity examination (far and near), contrast visual acuity measurement and enlargement need were administered by low vision trainers.


RESULTS
Of the 96 patients 42 % were partially sighted and 3 % blind. Self assessment of visual performance disclosed that 31 % of the patients complained about bad vision but only 12 % were worried about their vision. Cataract, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetes were the most frequent diagnosis associated to visual disability.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of the visual handicap in the elderly geriatric population is very high, but most of the patients are neither aware, nor worried about their handicap. This maybe related to associated general health disabling diseases.
Donati
G
G
Clinique d'Ophtalmologie, Service du professeur A. B. Safran, Hôpitaux Universitaires Genevois, Geneva, Switzerland. guy.donati@bluewin.ch
Christiaen
M-P
MP
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*