title: Visual Acuity and Self-Reported Vision Status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the associations of two measures of vision impairment (i.e., a clinical measure of visual acuity and self-reported vision status) and social isolation in a nationally representative sample of Americans aged 60 and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES IV; 1999-2008) were used to estimate successive logistic regression models, holding constant demographic characteristics, chronic illness, functional limitations, and disability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Effects of both measures of vision impairment in predicting social isolation were substantially reduced or eliminated in adjusted models. Where significant effects of vision impairment on social isolation remained, a strong effect was found for self-reported poor vision (odds ratio = 1.53; 95% confidence interval = [1.08, 2.16]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As one of the better vision-related predictors of social isolation, self-reported vision is among the easiest and inexpensive to assess. The use of self-reported vision as a screening criterion for social isolation is discussed.
authors.affiliation: 1 Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Caitlin E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Coyle
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Wyoming, Laramie, USA.
authors.forename: Bernard A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Steinman
authors.affiliation: 3 University of Massachusetts Boston, USA.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012934:Social Isolation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity
keywords: disability; older adults; social isolation; vision impairment