Associação entre déficit visual e aspectos clínico-funcionais em idosos da comunidade

Abstract

Objective: To identify functional factors associated with visual deficits among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Ninety-six older adults were assessed for visual acuity by means of the Snellen Eye Chart and categorized as low vision (visual acuity < 0.3) or normal vision (visual acuity ≥0.3). The functional factors analyzed were the number of falls, presence of eye diseases, mental health according to the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), functional status in daily activities according to the Brazilian OARS Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire (BOMFAQ) and functional mobility according to the Timed Up & Go Test (TUG). Inferential analysis was performed using the chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation coefficient, taking α=0.05. Results:Low vision was found in 17.7% (n=17) of the older adults. Compared to the older adults with normal vision, those with low vision had more advanced age (p<0.001) and more eye and adnexa diseases (p=0.023), higher scores for depressed mood (p=0.002), worse balance in the TUG (p=0.003) and higher numbers of impaired instrumental activities of daily living (p=0.009). Lower visual acuity was correlated with more advanced age, greater number of falls, greater number of impaired activities and longer time spent on the TUG. Conclusions:The visually impaired older adults in this sample showed greater functional impairment. The data from the present study will contribute to the development of physical therapy assessments that can identify functional limitations among visually impaired older adults and thus establish a better therapeutic plan for resolving the daily difficulties of these individuals.Key words: visual acuity; low vision; activities of daily living; mobility limitation; older adult. Resultados: Apresentaram baixa visão 17,7% (n=17) dos idosos. Em relação aos idosos com visão normal, os idosos com baixa visão apresentaram idade mais avançada (p<0,001), maior número de doenças de olho e anexos (p=0,023), maiores pontuações para humor deprimido (p=0,002), pior equilíbrio no TUG (p=0,003) e maior número de atividades instrumentais de vida diária comprometidas (p=0,009). Na análise de correlação, quanto menor a acuidade visual, maior a idade, o número de quedas, o número de atividades comprometidas e o tempo no TUG. Conclusões: Os idosos com déficit visual desta amostra exibiram maior comprometimento funcional. ResumoOs dados deste estudo contribuem para a elaboração de uma avaliação fisioterapêutica voltada aos aspectos que possam identificar as limitações funcionais dos idosos com déficit visual e, consequentemente, estabelecer um plano terapêutico mais direcionado a sanar as dificuldades no cotidiano desses idosos.Palavras-chave: acuidade visual; baixa visão; atividades cotidianas; limitação da mobilidade; idoso.

Idosos vítimas de trauma: análise de fatores de risco

“…Literature demonstrates that poor sight is associated with the probability of falls (p=0.046), since old age people with poor sight are generally older, have more serious sight conditions, suffer from depression, have poor balance (p=0.003) and a higher number of compromised activities (p=0.009) (17) . Another study shows that women without prior fracture incidents, with four or more compromised physical activities, poor subjective perception and poor sight (p=0.005) were more likely to experience a fall (18) .…”

Falls and quality of life of people with cataracts

“…Consequent to cataract, there is a decrease of visual communication, thus increasing the risk for falls in this population (7,8) , because in parallel comes decreased stability, balance, perception of distance and depth, and adaptation to dark, which results in difficulties for the recognition of impending dangers (3,9,10) . Elderly in this condition, struggling to remain stable facing complex environments and tasks, have two times more chances to fall (9,11) . The fall is defined as the unintentional displacement of the body to a level lower than the starting position without correction in a timely manner, being determined by multifactorial conditions which compromise the stability, i.e.…”

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“…Increased flexibility in the cervical region can assist in reducing headaches and neck pain, as well as improve the quality of vision of the elderly, which may decrease with the aging process, in turn facilitating daily activities for these individuals (Strimpakos 2011). Luiz et al (2009) found that functional factors associated with visual impairment were related to depression, poor balance, and a higher number of impaired instrumental activities of daily living.…”