Objectives: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its predictors among individuals with chronic vision conditions during COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: A cross-sectional, survey-based study targeted Jordanian adults with a variety of chronic vision conditions requiring regular ophthalmic follow-up. Outcome measures included HRQoL measured by the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), mental health symptoms measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and vision ability measured by the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VFQ-25) General Vision and Role Limitation subscales. Data were analyzed descriptively and using a multiple variable linear regression model to identify HRQoL predictors.Results: A total of 203 participants with a mean age of 52.09 (615.41) years participated, and SF-12 mean scores were 58.15 for the physical component and 57.48 for the mental component. The level of HRQoL was significantly associated with VFQ-25 Role Limitation subscale, diabetes, the need of ophthalmic follow-up, and stress. The regression model explained 47.1% of the variance in HRQoL (r 2 ¼0.471, F¼35.57, P,0.001). Conclusions: Jordanian individuals with chronic vision conditions demonstrated low levels of HRQoL during COVID-19 lockdown. Participants also showed high levels of mental health symptoms and reported low accessibility to ophthalmic care. Access to nonurgent ophthalmic care in individuals with chronic vision diseases should be carefully planned in future pandemics.
Background: Individuals with chronic vision diseases need regular ophthalmic follow-up. However, access to non-urgent ophthalmic services was limited in areas of strict lockdown during SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. This article aimed to o assess Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and its predictors in individuals with chronic vision conditions during COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: A cross-sectional, survey-based study targeted Jordanians adults with variety of chronic vision conditions require regular ophthalmic follow-up. Outcome measures included HRQoL measured by 12-item Short Form health survey (SF-12), mental health symptoms measured by Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21), vision ability measured by the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VFQ-25) General Vision and Role Limitation subscales. Data were analyzed descriptively and using a multiple variable linear regression to identify HRQoL predictors. Results: A total of 201 participants completed the study with a mean age of 52.09 (±15.41) years and SF-12 mean score of 57.90 (±18.15). Level of HRQoL was significantly and negatively predicted by VFQ-25 Role Limitation subscale, presence of diabetes, the need of ophthalmic follow-up during lockdown, and stress. The regression model explained 47.1% of the variance in HRQoL (r2=0.471, F=35.57, P<0.001).Conclusions: Jordanian individuals with chronic vision conditions requiring non-urgent ophthalmic follow-up demonstrated a relatively low level of HRQoL during COVID-19 lockdown. Participants also showed adverse impact on mental health and reported low accessibility to ophthalmic care. Access to non-urgent ophthalmic care in individuals with chronic vision diseases should be carefully considered by healthcare administrations and policymakers for optimal service planning during pandemics and crises.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.