Prevalence and risk factors for visual impairment among elderly residents in ‘homes for the aged’ in India: the Hyderabad Ocular Morbidity in Elderly Study (HOMES)

Abstract

Background/AimTo investigate the prevalence, causes and risk factors of visual impairment (VI) among the elderly in ‘home for the aged’ in Hyderabad, India.MethodsIndividuals aged ≥60 years were recruited from 41 ‘homes for the aged’. All participants had complete eye examinations including presenting visual acuity, refraction, slit-lamp examination, intraocular pressure measurement and fundus imaging by trained clinicians. VI was defined as presenting visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the better eye. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors associated with VI.Results1512 elderly residents from 41 homes for the aged were enumerated, of whom 1182 (78.1%) were examined. The mean age of examined participants was 75.0 years (SD 8.8 years; range: 60–108 years); 35.4% of those examined were men. The prevalence of VI was 30.1% (95% CI 27.5 to 32.8). The leading cause of VI was cataract (46.3%, n=165), followed by uncorrected refractive error (27.0%, n=96), posterior capsular opacification (14.9%, n=53) and posterior segment disease (6.5%, n=23). Overall, 88.2% of the VI was either treatable or correctable. In multiple logistic regression, those aged 80 years and older (OR: 1.7, p<0.01), living in ‘free’ homes (OR: 1.5, p<0.01) and who were immobile/bedridden (OR: 3.02, p<0.01) had significantly higher odds of VI. Gender was not associated with VI.ConclusionsVI was common and largely avoidable in residents of ‘homes for the aged’ in Hyderabad, India. Screening for vision loss in ‘homes for aged’ and the provision of appropriate services should become routine practice to achieve the goal of healthy ageing in India.

Falls and visual impairment among elderly residents in ‘homes for the aged’ in India

“…This study included 1,182 elderly participants recruited from 41 homes for aged. In our previous publication, we reported a 30.1% prevalence of visual impairment in this population 20 .…”

Visual outcomes after cataract surgery among the elderly residents in the ‘homes for the aged’ in South India: the Hyderabad Ocular Morbidity in Elderly Study

“…12 The participating homes for the aged facilities have been described in our previous publications. [12][13][14] Briefly, homes for the aged are a recent phenomenon in India and hence not a wellorganised sector. The homes are diverse both in terms of scope, amenities provided and the number of elderly living in them and are typically run by non-governmental (NGO), religious or voluntary organisations with support from the government and philanthropists (free and subsidised homes).…”

“…Some private homes have nursing staff to attend to medical needs and other support staff to assist elderly residents in their routine tasks. [12][13][14] In HOMES, a total of 46/76 (60.5%) homes for the aged who agreed to participate in the study (including 5 for pilot study) were included. 13 14 A total of 16/76 (21.1%) homes were not interested in participation in the study.…”

“…[12][13][14] In HOMES, a total of 46/76 (60.5%) homes for the aged who agreed to participate in the study (including 5 for pilot study) were included. 13 14 A total of 16/76 (21.1%) homes were not interested in participation in the study. The residents who were aged ≥60 years at the time of enumeration and residing in these homes for at least 1 month and agreed to participate were included in the study.…”

The Role of Socio-Economic Inequality in Physical Immobility Among Older Adults: Did the Scenario Changed from 2004-05 to 2017-18?

“…As the population grows older, it tends to suffer from various diseases; ranging from non-communicable diseases (12,13) to cognitive diseases (13)(14)(15) to various bodily functions disabilities such as vision or hearing loss, joints pain and so on (16,17). Also, older adults suffer from functional movements (18).…”