Visual Acuity and Quality of Life: KNHANES IV.
10.3341/jkos.2013.54.1.46
- Author:
Tyler Hyung Taek RIM
1
;
Dong Min LEE
;
Eun Jee CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
EuroQoL 5D;
KNHANES IV;
Quality of life;
Socio-demographic factors;
Visual acuity
- MeSH:
Education;
Family Characteristics;
Humans;
Korea;
Linear Models;
Nutrition Surveys;
Odds Ratio;
Quality of Life*;
Risk Factors;
Self Care;
Spouses;
Visual Acuity*
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2013;54(1):46-52
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (QOL) in Koreans according to visual acuity. METHODS: The fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) is a nationwide survey. The present study included 11,022 Koreans who completed the KNHANES IV. The relation of visual acuity and QOL was verified, and EuroQoL 5D (EQ-5D) was identified using the adjusted mean based on linear regression analysis. RESULTS: As visual acuity decreased, QOL decreased. QOL in mobility, usual activities, and pain/discomfort were affected by the vision gradient, while self-care and anxiety/depression were less influenced by the vision gradient. In particular, QOL in usual activities was significantly affected by the visual gradient. Subjects with a visual acuity of 1.6-3.0 were less likely to have a low QOL in usual activities compared to subjects with a visual acuity of 0.0-0.5 as a reference group (adjusted Odds Ratio = 23.6, 95% CI, 4.8-115.5). QOL in usual activities was statistically low in subjects older than 65 years of age, with low household monthly income, low education, and living without a spouse. CONCLUSIONS: As visual acuity decreased, QOL in the aspect of mobility, usual activities, and pain/discomfort decreased severely, which resulted from activity limitation. Considering that the risk group with increasing age, low income, low education, and living without a spouse had lower QOL, the most important is to increase activity, which can induce the improvement of QOL in Koreans who have low visual acuity and related risk factors is.
