Abstract:

Population studies indicate that sight loss is a problem of increased incidence for the aged. Previous studies have shown that sight loss can reduce people's ability to live independently, and that some independence can be regained through effective rehabilitation strategies. To provide rehabilitation an orthoptist must be aware of the older persons' perceptions of their functional capabilities. The data presented from this paper represents selected findings from the Health Status of Older People Project. variables selected for presentation include self rated eyesight, measured eyesight, perceived ability to perform certain daily tasks, and ability to use public transport. In addition, respondents who reported poor or worse vision were asked to comment on specific aspects of visual function. Analysis indicated good response between self rated and measured vision. This preliminary analysis suggests that a number of areas are compromised at least in part due to sight loss.