Fintz A-C, Gottenkiene S, Speeg-Schatz C
IEM Les Grillons, 116, rue de la Ganzau, 67100 Strasbourg, France.
J Fr Ophtalmol. 2011 Oct;34(8):526-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jfo.2011.01.020. Epub 2011 Jun 1.
To demonstrate the benefits of a low-vision intervention upon the quality of life of visually disabled adults.
The survey was proposed to patients who sought a low-vision intervention at the Colmar and Strasbourg hospital centres over a period of 9 months. Patients in agreement with the survey were asked to complete the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ25) in interview format by telephone, once they had attended the first meeting and again 2 months after the end of the low-vision intervention.
The low-vision intervention led to overall improvement as judged by the 25 items of the questionnaire. Some items involving visual function and psychological issues showed significant benefits: the patients reported a more optimistic score concerning their general vision, described better nearby activities, and felt a bit more autonomous.
More than mainstream psychological counselling, low-vision services help patients cope with visual disabilities during their daily life. The low-vision intervention improves physical and technical issues necessary to retaining autonomy in daily life.
