The Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals Across the Spectrum of Visual Impairment

Abstract

Purpose : To assess perceptions and implications of COVID-19 across the spectrum of visual impairment (VI) and normally-sighted individuals Design : Prospective cross-sectional comparative study. Method : XXXXXX Setting : Institutional. Patients : 232 patients and their caregivers. Four groups were created based on better eye characteristics: blind (best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) < 3/60 or visual field < 10 central degrees), severe VI (3/60 ≤ BCDVA < 6/60, vertical cup-to-disc ratio ≥ 0.85 or neuroretinal rim width ≤ 0.1), moderate VI (6/60 ≤ BCDVA < 6/18), or no/mild VI (controls, BCDVA ≥ 6/18) based on International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria and Foster and Quigley's consensus definition of glaucoma. Procedure : Telephone questionnaires. Main Outcomes and Measures : Differences in perceptions and implications of COVID-19 across various levels of VI. Caregiver perceptions were a secondary outcome measure. Results : Survey was completed by 232 participants, with 58 participants in each VI group. Mean age was 58.9 years ± 13.2. Greater degrees of VI were associated with older age (P=0.008) and lower education level (P=0.046). Blind participants more commonly perceived vision as a risk factor for contracting COVID-19 (P=0.045), were concerned about access to healthcare (P<0.001), obtained news through word of mouth (P<0.001), and less commonly wore masks (P=0.003). Controls more commonly performed frequent handwashing (P=0.001), were aware of telemedicine (P=0.029), and had fewer concerns about social interactions (P=0.020) compared to groups with substantial VI. All caregivers reported more frequent patient care since COVID-19 began. Conclusions : The pandemic may have a disproportionate impact on the visually-impaired, and evidence-based assessments of COVID-19 health outcomes in this population are warranted.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychosocial well-being of people with disabilities

“…This may explain the conflicting results. Additionally, the caregivers of people with vision disabilities reported more frequent patient care since the pandemic began 31 that can positively impact loneliness of people with vision disabilities.…”

“…People with vision disabilities more commonly perceived impaired vision as a risk factor for contracting COVID-19. 31 They were more concerned about accessing healthcare and may have more difficulty wearing masks than those without disabilities. 31 Such issues may increase worries about infection among people with vision disabilities.…”

“… 31 They were more concerned about accessing healthcare and may have more difficulty wearing masks than those without disabilities. 31 Such issues may increase worries about infection among people with vision disabilities. Additionally, people with cognitive disabilities like dementia are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 because of comorbid risk factors that predispose them to the disease (e.g., age, obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus).…”

The Role and Views of Ophthalmologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Since a major reduction in patient visits per week could also delay necessary treatment, adaptation to the pandemic was critical. [22][23][24] Those whose patient numbers declined more dramatically were more worried than their colleagues about the effects that delayed treatment might have on their patients. It cannot be verified with certainty whether these are true differences, or whether doctors who were more concerned perceived and assessed both patient numbers and predicted effects differently.…”

“…Unlike other studies, this study looked unilaterally at ophthalmologists' perspectives. 22,45,46 However, some aspects, including those related to screening, 47 were not recorded.…”