Seven-year experience in a low vision rehabilitation clinic at a tertiary referral center

Abstract Background: Low vision is a major public health concern worldwide. This study was aimed at describing the characteristics of patients who had visited a low-vision rehabilitation clinic. Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the medical records of patients with low vision attending a low-vision rehabilitation clinic at a tertiary referral center over ۷ years. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of vision impairment and availability of complete records. We extracted the following data from each record: age, sex, education level, employment status, chief complaints concerning vision, associated ocular diseases, uncorrected distance and near visual acuities, best-corrected distance and near visual acuities, statuses of previous and current prescribed optical devices, and cooperation status of patients during the optometric examination. Results: We enrolled a total of ۵۶۷ patients, including ۳۳۸ (۵۹.۶%) men and ۲۲۹ (۴۰.۴%) women, with a mean (standard deviation) age of ۴۰.۴۶ (۲۸.۳۴) years. Most (۹۸.۴%) participants were cooperative, with a high rate of unemployment (۹۰.۵%) and low education level. Half (۴۹.۲%) of the patients had moderate visual impairment. Retinal pathologies, mainly congenital (۲۸.۴%), and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD; ۲۶.۵%) were common causes of low vision. Difficulty in reading was the most frequent complaint (۲۲.۹%), and a combination of difficulties in reading, writing, and facial recognition was recorded in ۵۴.۷% of the patients. Other functional complaints were reported by at least ۵% of the patients. Our multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the likelihood of difficulties in performing in-house activities, reading, facial recognition and social interaction, and driving increased per ۱۰-year increment in age, with odds ratios of ۱.۳۹, ۱.۳۱, ۱.۲۴, and ۱.۲۲, respectively (all P < ۰.۰۵). The likelihood of reporting three complaints (reading, writing, and facial recognition together) increased per ۰.۱-logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution increment in the best-corrected distance visual acuity of the better eye, with an odds ratio of ۲.۰۵ (P < ۰.۰۵). In addition, men were more likely to experience difficulties in driving and reading, while women were more likely to experience difficulties in facial recognition and social interaction or in-house activities (all P < ۰.۰۵). Optical devices for distance or near vision were prescribed to most patients. Conclusions: Most patients were men and unemployed. The most common category of low vision was moderate impairment. Retinal conditions, mainly congenital ones and ARMD, were the most frequent causes. A combination of difficulties in reading, writing, and facial recognition was the most common complaint. Optometrists should address these findings during rehabilitation therapy to treat patients with low vision. Keywords: low vision tertiary referral center visual aids visual disorders patient cooperation outpatient age distributions legal blindness optometry