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The Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals Across the Spectrum of Visual Impairment.
Shalaby, Wesam S; Odayappan, Annamalai; Venkatesh, Rengaraj; Swenor, Bonnielin K; Ramulu, Pradeep Y; Robin, Alan L; Srinivasan, Kavitha; Shukla, Aakriti Garg.
  • Shalaby WS; Glaucoma Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
  • Odayappan A; Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry, India.
  • Venkatesh R; Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry, India.
  • Swenor BK; Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
  • Ramulu PY; Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
  • Robin AL; Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
  • Srinivasan K; Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry, India. Electronic address: skavitha.shree@gmail.com.
  • Shukla AG; Glaucoma Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Electronic address: ashukla@willseye.org.
Am J Ophthalmol ; 227: 53-65, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1157089
ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:

TO assess perceptions and implications of COVID-19 infection across the spectrum of individuals with visually impairment (VI) and those with normal sight.

DESIGN:

Prospective cross-sectional comparative study.

METHODS:

Setting:

institutional. PATIENTS 232 patients and their caregivers. Four groups were created based on better eye characteristics blind (best-corrected distance visual acuity [BCDVA] <3/60 or visual field <10 central degrees); severe VI (BCDVA ≤3/60 to <6/60; vertical cup-to-disc ratio ≥0.85 or neuroretinal rim width ≤0.1); moderate VI (BCDVA ≤6/60 to <6/18); or no or mild VI (controls BCDVA ≥6/18) based on International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria and Foster and Quigley's consensus definition of glaucoma. PROCEDURE telephone questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

differences in perceptions and implications of COVID-19 infection across various levels of VI. Caregiver perceptions were a secondary outcome measure.

RESULTS:

Surveys were completed by 232 participants, with 58 participants in each VI group. Mean age was 58.9 ± 13.2 years old. Greater degrees of VI were associated with older age (P = .008) and lower education level (P = .046). Blind participants more commonly perceived vision as a risk factor for contracting COVID-19 (P = .045), were concerned about access to health care (P <.001), obtained news through word of mouth (P <.001), and less commonly wore masks (P = .003). Controls more commonly performed frequent handwashing (P = .001), were aware of telemedicine (P = .029), and had fewer concerns about social interactions (P = .020) than groups with substantial VI. All caregivers reported more frequent patient care since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

CONCLUSIONS:

The pandemic might have had a disproportionate impact on the visually impaired, and evidence-based assessments of COVID-19 health outcomes in this population are warranted.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Visual Acuity / Visual Fields / Vision, Low / Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.ajo.2021.03.016

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Visual Acuity / Visual Fields / Vision, Low / Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.ajo.2021.03.016