Visual function and functional vision – ophthalmological perspectives on a normal population

Abstract

Aim: The aim was to investigate visual function and functional vision in 70-year-olds in Gothenburg Sweden.

Methods: A group 1203 randomized 70-year-olds completed questionnaires on somatic, social health, and well-being. Of these, 560 underwent ophthalmic examinations, including tests for visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual field. The analyses employed the Chi-square test, the student’s t-test, the Mann-Whitney U-test, and logistic regression, with significance generally set at p < 0.05.

Results: Most participants (99%) exhibited normal best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), but 62% had uncorrected refractive errors (URE). Men demonstrated better visual acuity compared to women. Contrast sensitivity was identified as a predictor of experiencing low vision. Cataract was found to be the most frequent ophthalmic disease (23%) and were more prevalent in women. The study revealed a notable proportion of undiagnosed glaucoma cases (2.7%), with the majority having normal eye pressure levels (≤21mmHg). Previously known cases accounted for 2.1% of the population, resulting in an adjusted prevalence of 4.8%. The vision-related quality of life was lower in participants with glaucoma, but this appears to be largely due to economic status. A total of 9% identified their visual function incorrectly when comparing to the actual visual function and this misconception was correlated to socioeconomic and psychological factors.

Conclusion: URE is prevalent, yet visual function is high with BCVA. Glaucoma is more than twice as prevalent than previously recognised. Economic status influences vision-related quality of life. Psychosocial factors effect assumptions regarding one's visual capacities.