Vision Related Quality of Life and Fear of Falls among Elderly Patients with Macular Degeneration

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Demonstrator in Gerontological Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing -Mansoura University, Egypt.

2 Lecturer of Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt.

3 Professor of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine- Mansoura University, Egypt.

4 Assistant Professor of Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most chronic eye problems that occur with age and affects the macular region of the retina, causing progressive loss of central vision. Also, it is one of the most common ophthalmic diseases triggering falls and deterioration in average elderly patient’s quality of life. The study aim to: Determine the vision-related quality of life and fear of falls among elderly patients with macular degeneration. Study design: A descriptive, correlational research design was utilized to carry out this study. Study subjects: A purposive sample of 77 elderly patients. Setting: The study was conducted at outpatient Clinics of Ophthalmic Center that affiliated to Mansoura University. Tools of data collection: Three tools were used, Tool I: Elderly Patient’s Demographic Characteristics and Clinical Data Interview Schedule, Tool II: The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) and Tool III: The Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES). Results: The overall score of VFQ -25 (mean ± SD) was 35.73±14.96 which indicate poor vision related quality of life.63.60% of studied elderly patients were very concerned about falls and there was a strong significant negative correlation between vision related quality of life and fear of fall for all subscale (p<0.0001**).Conclusion The greater fear of falls, the worse vision related quality of life among the studied age related macular degeneration patients. Recommendations: Education programs to improve knowledge about fall prevention and improve quality of life among elderly patient will be beneficial to reduce their fear of falls.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics