Quality of life in children with low vision following use of low vision aids

V Kavitha; Mallikarjun M Heralgi; Mubashir Parkar; Sneha Harogoppa

doi:10.4103/tjo.tjo_94_18

Quality of life in children with low vision following use of low vision aids

Taiwan J Ophthalmol. 2019 Jan 30;10(3):203-207. doi: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_94_18. eCollection 2020 Jul-Sep.

Authors

V Kavitha¹, Mallikarjun M Heralgi², Mubashir Parkar³, Sneha Harogoppa¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Sankara Eye Hospital, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
² Department of Cornea and Refractive Services, Sankara Eye Hospital, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
³ Department of Cataract Services, Sankara Eye Hospital, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.

Abstract

Context: Vision loss early in life has profound functional and psychological implications. Functional vision, defined as vision that can be used to perform a task(s) requiring vision, can be assessed by a number of tools. Questionnaires are a popular tool.

Aims: This study aimed at assessing the vision-related quality of life (QOL) with the help of LV Prasad-Functional Vision Questionnaire (LVP-FVQ) and also to analyze the outcome of baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 3 months after the introduction of low vision aids (LVAs) in children with low vision (LV).

Settings and design: This was a prospective, longitudinal study.

Subjects and methods: Thirty children aged between 8 and 18 years with LV were recruited and prescribed LVAs for distance and/or near based on their needs. The QOL and BCVA for distance and near were assessed before and 3 months after the introduction of LVAs.

Statistical analysis used: Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Student's t-test was used to calculate the P value.

Results: There was a significant improvement in the vision-related QOL (P < 0.001) as well as the baseline BCVA (P = 0.002), 3 months after use of LVAs.

Conclusion: LVAs are effective in improving the vision-related QOL and can also act as vision stimulator.

Keywords: Best-corrected visual acuity; children; low vision; low vision aids; quality of life.