Visual function, most notably acuity without LVAs, is the best predictor of self-reported VRAL assessed by the AI. Depression and adjustment to visual loss also significantly influence self-reported VRAL, largely independent of the severity of visual loss and most notably in the less vision-specific tasks. The results suggest that rehabilitation strategies addressing depression and adjustment could improve perceived visual disability.

The results highlight the association between central binocular visual fields and self-reported VRAL in people with visual impairment. Central binocular fields can be measured using a widely available threshold test in order to understand the likely functional limitations of those with vision loss, particularly in mobility tasks. Self-reported VRAL can be estimated using the regression equations and graphs provided and difficulty levels in specific tasks can be determined.

People with vision impairment are likely to achieve 1 M with a low vision aid if their clinically assessed reading acuity is better than 0.85 logMAR. If acuity is worse than this, but contrast sensitivity is better than 1.05 logCS, 1M is also likely to be achieved. A 2:1 acuity reserve is adequate for 75% of observers, but those with good aided reading acuity may require further magnification to achieve best reading speeds. Fluent reading (>80 words per minute) is likely to be achieved if an observer reads fluently with large print at a fixed working distance and if clinically assessed reading acuity is better than 1.0 logMAR.

PURPOSE.To determine factors associated with the level of adjustment to vision loss in a cross-sectional sample of adults with mixed visual impairment. METHODS.One hundred participants were administered the Acceptance and Self-Worth Adjustment Scale (AS-WAS) to assess adjustment to vision loss. The severity of vision loss was determined using binocular clinical visual function assessments including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, reading performance, and visual fields. Key demographics including age, duration of visual impairment, general health, education, and living arrangements were evaluated, as were self-reported vision-related activity limitation (VRAL), depression, social support, and personality.RESULTS. Multivariate analysis showed that higher levels of depressive symptoms (b ¼ À0.26, P < 0.01) and of the personality trait neuroticism (b ¼À0.33, P < 0.001), and lower levels of the personality trait of conscientiousness (b ¼ 0.29, P < 0.01), were associated with poorer adjustment to vision loss, explaining 56% variance.CONCLUSIONS. Adjustment to vision loss is significantly associated with depression and certain traits of personality (specifically neuroticism and conscientiousness), independent of the severity of vision loss, VRAL, and duration of vision loss. The results suggest certain individuals may be predisposed to exhibiting less adjustment to vision loss due to personality characteristics, and exhibit poorer adjustment owing to or as a consequence of depression, rather than due to other factors such as the onset and severity of visual impairment. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:7227-7234)

Results indicate that, despite the adoption of various habitual strategies, participants with CFL still do not perform common daily living tasks as efficiently as healthy subjects. Although indices suggesting feed-forward planning are similar, they made more movement corrections and increased time for the latter portion of the action, indicating a more cautious/uncertain approach. Various kinematic indices correlated significantly to visual function parameters including visual acuity and midperipheral visual field loss.