Comparative Analysis of Health- and Vision-Related Quality of Life Measures among Trinidadians with Low Vision and Normal Vision—A Cross-Sectional Matched Sample Study

Kingsley K. Ekemiri, Edith N. Botchway, Ngozika E. Ezinne, Nikolai Sirju, Tea Persad, Hlabje Carel Masemola, Sherphard Chidarikire, Chioma C. Ekemiri and Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu ()
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Kingsley K. Ekemiri: Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 685509, Trinidad and Tobago
Edith N. Botchway: Brain and Mind Group, Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
Ngozika E. Ezinne: Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 685509, Trinidad and Tobago
Nikolai Sirju: Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 685509, Trinidad and Tobago
Tea Persad: Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 685509, Trinidad and Tobago
Hlabje Carel Masemola: Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
Sherphard Chidarikire: School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Chioma C. Ekemiri: Department of Health Promotion, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 685509, Trinidad and Tobago
Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu: Department of Optometry, College of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 14, 1-14

Abstract: This cross-sectional study investigated the health-related and vision-related quality of life measures of adults with low vision compared to healthy individuals in Trinidad and Tobago. The health-related quality of life (HRQOL-14) and the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) were administered to 20 participants with low vision caused by diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, as well as 20 participants with no visual problems (control). Participants were recruited from the University Eye Clinic in Trinidad and Tobago. Compared to the controls, more participants in the low-vision group had lower age-adjusted NEI-VFQ-25 scores (48.3% vs. 95.1%; p < 0.001), had poor general (47.5% vs. 10%, p = 0.004) and mental (100% vs. 10%, p < 0.042) health, experienced greater activity limitation due to impairment or health problems (85% vs. 20%, p < 0.001), needed help with personal care (27.5% vs. 0%, p < 0.009) and daily routine (67.5% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), and experienced sleep problems (97.5% vs. 65%, p < 0.001) and symptoms of anxiety (100% vs. 90%, p = 0.042). All the diabetic retinopathy participants (100%, p = 0.028) had two or more impairments or vision problems compared to none in the other low-vision participants. In summary, the HRQOL-14 and NEI-VFQ-25 scores were significantly reduced in low-vision participants, who also demonstrated a greater vulnerability to poor quality of life in the presence of diabetes retinopathy. These findings have important clinical implications regarding offering appropriate support and interventions to improve quality of life outcomes in individuals with low vision.

Keywords: vision impairment; low vision; eye diseases; quality of life; Trinidad (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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