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Cognitive impairment does not alter relationship between vision impairment, health-related quality of life
Br J Ophthalmol. 2009;93(2):240-243.
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Co-existing cognitive impairment appeared to have little influence on the already negative impact that vision impairment had on the health-related quality of life in nursing home patients, a study found.
"Aging-related visual impairment in nursing-home residents is often reversible through treatment leading to improved [health-related quality of life], and thus it is clinically important to know that cognitive impairment is unlikely to interfere with this benefit," the study authors said.
The cross-sectional study examined 382 patients, 55 years and older, from 17 nursing homes in Alabama. Patients underwent visual acuity, cognition and health-related quality of life assessments.
Reduction in the health-related quality of life status of nursing home residents who had vision impairment was similar for those with and without cognitive impairment.
In addition, more patients in the study had vision and cognitive impairments (38.5%) than those without either impairment (21.5%), only vision impairment (13.4%) or only cognitive impairment (26.7%).