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

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.

Health-related quality of life measurements in children and adolescents with refractive errors: A scoping review

“…Additionally, assessments like the QOLS-CVI and the LVP-FVQ provided in-depth analyses of visual impairments in varied contexts. 29 , 55 The CVFQ and the QIRC questionnaire rounded out our findings, illuminating the broad implications of visual function and refractive corrections on quality of life. 32 , 34 …”

“…It ensures that our exploration and intervention strategies are finely tuned to the specific dimensions and experiences of those affected, thereby advancing our collective understanding and management of visual impairment. 55 , 89 …”

Impact of Vision Impairment and Ocular Morbidity and Their Treatment on Quality of Life in Children: A Systematic Review

“…Only 4 studies (9.09 %) were from low-income countries, including 1 each from Iran 54 and Pakistan 25 and 2 from India. 39,57 Twenty-nine studies were from middle-income countries, including 1 each from South Africa 28 and Malaysia, 45 2 from Brazil, 23,33 and 24 from China. 7,19,21,22,24,29,31,32,34,37,38,40,42,44,46,48,49,51e53,55,56,58,59 Twelve studies were from high-income countries, including 1 each from Germany, 35 Japan, 50 Portugal, 41 the United Kingdom, 6 and Korea 26 ; 2 from Singapore 18,36 ; and 5 from the United States.…”

“…20,27,30,43,47 Thirty-three studies contained an approximately equal number of male and female participants. Three studies 26,36,47 and 7 studies 6,19,29,42,43,51,57 included less than 40% males and females, respectively. Two studies did not report on the sex distribution of participants.…”

“…The most commonly used tools were the Intermittent Exotropia Questionnaire (n ¼ 12), 30,36,38,40,45e49,52,53,55 the Pediatric QoL Inventory (n ¼ 11), 7,18e21,26,29,33,34,42,51 and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (n ¼ 7). 21,22,28,31,32,37,44 Other questionnaires included the RAND Health Insurance Study questionnaire, 43,54 the Pediatric Eye Questionnaire, 24,27 the World Health Organization QoL Scale, 25 the QoL Impact of Refractive Correction, 59 the scale of QoL for children with congenital bilateral cataract, 58 a self-developed questionnaire to assess the impact of amblyopia treatment on health-related QoL, 56 the Children's Visual Function Questionnaire, 23 the generic KINDL-R questionnaire, 35,39 the LV Prasad Functional Vision Questionnaire, 57 and the Low Vision QoL Questionnaire. 6 Nine of these instruments were condition specific and 4 were general.…”