Effectiveness of smartphone application as a tool to improve functional vision and quality of life of visually impaired people

Abstract

Introduction: Visually impaired people are facing difficulties to do their day to day activities. Smartphone application as a low-vision devices help visually impaired people to do their functional activity. Thus, it improve the quality of life of visually impaired people. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Special interest group discussion was conducted to shortlist the selected apps which help visually impaired people to do their day to day activities. Low Vision Quality Of Life questionnaire was used to assess the low-vision management and rehabilitation. The questionnaire was translated into Tamil language. Face validation and cognitive verification was done. The questionnaire was rephrased. English and final version Tamil questionnaires were administered to 21 visually-impaired people. Participants (n=8) familiar with the smartphone applications namely Lookout Google and Sullivan+ were included. Tamil LVQOL questionnaire and feedback about the usefulness of the smartphone application were obtained from the app users. Results: From the experts opinion, two apps were selected namely Lookout Google and Sullivan+. For questionnaire, the mean age of the 21 visually impaired people was 25.76 ± 8.6 (age ranges from 17-56). The median quality of life score was statistically insignificant (p=0.47) between English and Tamil questionnaire. The overall Cronbach’s alpha value for Tamil LVQOL was 0.95. The overall Intraclass correlation coefficient value of English and Tamil questionnaire was 0.82. The mean age of the eight smartphone applications users were 22.12 ± 3.51 (age ranging from 17-29). The mean quality of life score was statistically insignificant (p=0.32) between the smartphone application non-user and user. From the feedback about 75% of the participants said that Lookout google and Sullivan+ apps were useful for their day to day activities. Reading was the most commonly used feature in both the apps. These apps were also useful for doing day to day activities. Conclusion:The translated and validated Tamil version of the LVQOL showed a good reliability. Smartphone applications such as Lookout Google and Sullivan+ applications can help visually impaired people to do their day to day activities