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

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 -test was used to calculate the value.

RESULTS

There was a significant improvement in the vision-related QOL ( < 0.001) as well as the baseline BCVA ( = 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.