The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57387

Joan Stelmack, OD, Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital, Blind Rehabilitation Center, Rte (124), Hines, IL 60141, 708-202-2124, Joan.Stelmack@med.va.gov

Introduction: Visual impairment is included in the 10 most prevalent causes of disability in America. While there has been considerable progress in treatment of eye diseases, there is no cure available for most of the diseases causing age-related vision loss. Many Americans are living with visual impairment regardless of access to the best medical treatment available. Given the universality of aging, the association of age and vision loss, and the large increase in the number of older persons projected for our society in the coming years, efficient methods of visual rehabilitation for persons with age related eye diseases are needed. Methods: The Veterans Affairs Low Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VA LV VFQ-48) was developed to capture patient’s self-report of difficulty performing daily living tasks before and after rehabilitation. Results: In studies conducted at the Hines VA Hospital, West Side Division Chicago Health Care Network, Vision Rehabilitation Service at Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary and the Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation this instrument was shown to be valid and reliable. Conclusions: The VA LV VFQ-48 can be used to assess visual ability, document eligibility for rehabilitation services, and evaluate the outcomes of these services. This presentation demonstrates the use of the VA LV VFQ-48 in low vision service delivery.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the use of self-report questionnaires to measure the difficulty patients with vision loss have performing daily living tasks and the use of self-report questionnaires to develop a rehabilitation plan.
• Appreciate the value of these instruments in measuring effectiveness of rehabilitation service delivery models.

Keywords: Quality of Life, Vision Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.