The impact of low vision on activities, participation, and goals among older adults: a scoping review

Assessing Older Adults' Functional Visual Performance Using the Performance Quality Rating Scale

Visual impairment has distinct impacts on the activities of older adults. Quantifying the functional impact of visual loss would facilitate targeted rehabilitation. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop an observational assessment of the functional visual performance of older adults using the Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS); (2) test the feasibility and inter-rater agreement in a pilot sample of older adults with visual impairment. A convenience sample of older adults with vision loss (N = 20) performed seven pre-selected activities. Performance was videoed (N = 126 videos) and rated by two raters using specific operational definitions. All participants completed the seven activities with the given resources and 90% of videos were successfully rated using the developed PQRS. Inter-rater agreement was substantial (weighted Kappa = 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.64, 0.79]) for all activities. The developed PQRS for functional vision is feasible, with substantial inter-rater agreement, to assess functional vision of older adults in an outpatient setting.

When one partner can no longer see: Exploring the lived experiences of romantic partners in the context of vision loss

This qualitative descriptive study aims to explore the lived experience of the adjustment process of couples who face vision loss, investigating the impact of such loss on daily life and the adjustments and adaptations that ensue. To undertake such an exploration, the application of an occupational perspective is relevant where the meaning and purpose partners ascribe to their everyday activities can be investigated. A total of 16 couples living in Western Switzerland were interviewed between January and June 2020. Data collection was carried out with semi-structured face-to-face interview. Three themes emerge from the thematic analysis of transcripts. The first theme emphasizes that either separate or joint everyday activities of partners can be shared within couples, which all give sense to the partnership; the second one shows that vision loss disrupts the engagement of partners in such shared everyday activities. The third theme highlights partners’ efforts to reshape their engagement in their shared everyday activities in order to maintain a sense of couple’s we-ness. While navigating vision loss requires both partners to jointly engage in this process of reshaping, couples described tension that arises because of the partners with vision loss’ growing dependence on the other partner. One’s sense of control when navigating vision loss is critical to adjust to a changing and changed daily life. Further research is needed that focuses on how romantic partners ascribe a shared meaning and purpose to their engagement in everyday activities, separate or joint, and how such meaning and purpose are impacted by the onset or aggravation of one partner’s vision loss.