Impact of visual impairment on day-to-day visual functioning: A cross-sectional study among geriatric population in a rural area of West Bengal

Background: Visual impairment is a phenomenon which plagues many a human being be it of any age. It occurs all the more when the concern is the geriatric population. They seem to face many difficulties in their day-to-day life when they suffer from visual ailments and when they go undiagnosed and undetected. Aim: The objectives of the study were to determine the socio-demographic characteristics, to assess the visual impairment of geriatric population and its association with various task-oriented domains of daily visual functioning, emotional well-being and social functioning in a rural area of West Bengal. Material and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was done by measurement of visual acuity by Snellen’s chart (for distance vision), Jaeger’s chart (for near vision), torch light examination, interview by visual function questionnaire and determination of socio-demographic and economic characteristics on 110 geriatric people equal to or greater than 60 years of age. Observations: 42 (38.2%) people had visual impairment. The number of females was higher than that of males. Most of the visual impairment was found in people over 70 years of age. Visual impairment was significantly associated with gender (4.765, 95% CI 1.614-14.067) and religion (4.031, 95% CI 1.011-16.075). It was also significantly associated with difficulty in near vision activities (0.280, 95% CI 0.112-0.700), limitations in social functioning (2.700, 95% CI 2.111-3.453), mental health symptoms (0.273, 95% CI 0.092-0.106) and role limitations (0.266, 95% CI 0.075-0.946). Conclusion: Visual impairment is quite prevalent in the geriatric population and it significantly impacts the daily visual functioning of the elderly population which demands further concern.