Six hundred and four patients from 19 nursing homes in rural western Oklahoma underwent visual acuity and glaucoma screening. Thirty-seven percent (221/604) had corrected near visual acuity less than or equal to 20/200 in one or both eyes. Fourty-nine percent (298/604) had best distance visual acuity less than or equal to 20/200 in one or both eyes. Improvement of distance visual acuity of two or more lines of vision by the use of pinhole viewing (indicating a possible need for glasses lens change) was helpful in only 12% (36/298) of patients with distance visual acuity less than or equal to 20/200. Fifteen percent (50/316) had intraocular pressure (Schiotz tonometry) greater than or equal to 24 mm hg. The incidence of significant visual acuity impairments and borderline-elevated glaucoma testing in the nursing home population is significantly higher than for a comparable general community vision and glaucoma screening of a more mobile and youthful population (Table 7). Eleven percent (66/604) were determined to have had an eye examination (ophthalmological or optometric) within the previous two years. Because potentially severe visual loss caused by cataracts, glaucoma, some forms of macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy may be reduced by timely medical or surgical eye treatment, the study suggests that many nursing home patients who might benefit from ophthalmologic care are currently not receiving it. Consideration, therefore, should be given for similar future screenings at other nursing home populations.
Adolescent Adult