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Eyeglasses can Improve Quality of Life


Posted by: DeLila Bergan on December 06, 2007

EYEGLASSES CAN IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE

A new study in the November 2007 Archives of Ophthalmology (Arch Ophthalmol 2007; 125:  1471-1477), a professional journal for physicians who care for patients' eyes, reported new research that indicates that nursing home residents benefit from regular vision exams and new glasses (when glasses are needed).  The study cited a national nursing home study that found that only 12% of nursing homes bring optometry services on site to their residents and that over 50% of nursing home residents have no evidence in their nursing home charts of having received any recent vision care.

The research study discussed in the Archives of Ophthalmology article enrolled subjects from 17 nursing homes n the Birmingham, Alabama, area.  Roughly 140 nursing home residents completed the study.  All the residents who took part in the study had their vision tested.  After the tests, roughly one-half of those residents received their new glasses within days, while the remaining resident subjects did not receive their glasses for another two months.  The subjects were not charged for their new eyeglasses, so they all benefited from being in the study. 

At two months into the study (and before the second subject group residents were given their glasses), both groups of residents were assessed on several criteria related to quality of life, the visual activities of daily living and depression.  The group that received glasses early in the study (right after their exams) reported better vision, less difficulty with visual tasks (reading, writing, watching TV, playing cards, etc.), less worry and frustration, more social interaction, and fewer symptoms of depression than the subject group whose eyeglasses had been delayed.

This study reinforces that very basic and relatively inexpensive health care measures, such as vision testing and eyeglasses, can make a significant difference in the lives of nursing home residents.  If you or your loved one has not had a vision exam recently, please do so.  If your spouse or parent lives in a nursing home or assisted living home, arrange to have his or her vision tested regularly.  If you work in a care facility, please ensure that your residents have regular vision exams and assist them to obtain needed eyeglasses.  This is a small step that could make a big difference in someone's life.

By Dee Bergan, President, E-Senior Services

For more information on doctors of the eye (ophthalmologists), please see the Eye/Ophthalmology section of our web site under Medical Specialists/Physicians.

(While this study did not address hearing tests and hearing aids, nursing home residents can also benefit from regular hearing tests and well-functioning hearing aids.  Individuals with impaired hearing can become easily frustrated, confused, embarrassed, isolated and depressed.  For more information on hearing tests and hearing aids, please see the Hearing Aids/Audiologists section of our web site under Medical Specialists.)