Vision screening for frail older people: a randomised trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of vision screening, and subsequent management of visual impairment, on visual acuity and vision-related quality of life among frail older people.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Community in Sydney, Australia.


METHODS
616 men and women aged 70 years and over (mean age 81 years) recruited mainly from people attending outpatient aged care services.


METHODS
No vision assessment or intervention


METHODS
Comprehensive vision and eye examinations conducted by an optometrist. Three hundred subjects were seen by the study optometrist, with 146 judged to need treatment for a vision or eye problem. The optometrist arranged new glasses for 92 subjects; 24 were referred for a home visit by an occupational therapist; 17 were referred for glaucoma management; and 15 were referred for cataract surgery.


METHODS
Distance and near visual acuity (logMAR) and composite scores on the 25-item version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire, both assessed at a 12-month follow-up home visit.


RESULTS
After 12 months' follow-up, the mean (logMAR) distance visual acuity was 0.27 in the intervention group and 0.25 in the control group (p = 0.32). The mean (logMAR) near visual acuities were -0.01 in the intervention group and -0.03 in the control group (p = 0.26). The mean composite score on the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire was 84.3 in the intervention group and 86.4 in the control group (p = 0.49).


CONCLUSIONS
Vision screening by an optometrist for frail older people living in the community in Australia does not lead to improvements in vision or vision-related quality of life after 1 year's follow-up.
Swamy
B
B
Centre for Vision Research (Department of Ophthalmology), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Cumming
R G
RG
Ivers
R
R
Clemson
L
L
Cullen
J
J
Hayes
M F
MF
Tanzer
M
M
Mitchell
P
P
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D009907:Optometry / Q000458:organization & administration; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014792:Visual Acuity