Clinical characteristics, device prescription patterns, visual function, and quality of life in patients referred to a low-vision unit: A single-center retrospective study

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics, visual outcomes, prescribed low-vision aids, and vision-related quality of life of patients referred to a tertiary low-vision unit.
METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included 94 patients referred between January 2023 and November 2024. Clinical, demographic, diagnostic, and visual function data were extracted from medical records. Baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and distance- and near-visual acuity after correction with low-vision aids were collected. Vision-related quality of life was evaluated using the low vision quality of life questionnaire (LVQOL).
RESULTS: The mean age was 43.6±28.0 years (median, 34), and 55.3% of patients were male. The most common diagnoses were age-related macular degeneration (27.6%), retinitis pigmentosa (17.0%), Stargardt disease (14.9%), and albinism (12.8%). The mean baseline BCVA of the better eye was 0.96±0.47 LogMAR. With low-vision aids, BCVA was 0.28±0.21 LogMAR (P<0.001), and near visual acuity improved from 0.58±0.30 to 0.18±0.13 LogMAR (p<0.001). Telescopic devices for distance vision were prescribed to 68 patients (72.3%), including Galilean (n=56) and Keplerian (n=12) telescopes. Near-vision aids were prescribed to 34 patients (36.2%), mainly high-diopter near spectacles (n=28). Magnifiers were prescribed to 26 patients (27.7%), and filtered lenses to 22 patients (23.4%). LVQOL subscales for reading/fine work, activities of daily living, and distance/mobility/illumination correlated significantly with age and best-eye visual acuity (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Task-specific optical aids provide meaningful improvements in distance and near visual functions in low-vision rehabilitation. Quality-of-life outcomes were associated with age and visual acuity, underscoring the importance of timely referral to low-vision units and a multidimensional approach to low-vision care.

Keywords: Low vision, Low vision aids, Low-vision rehabilitation, Quality of life