CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

With age, there are advancing many changes that occur in the human body which may lead to impairments, one of which is vision. Visual impairment can affect the old to the extent of disabling and eventually preventing them from living independent life styles. More people will be at risk of visual impairment with an increasing elderly population in many countries (WHO factsheet, 2013). Worldwide, approximately 158 million people aged 50 and over are visually impaired (Pascolini et al., 2010). More than half of the people with visual impairment live in low- and middle-income countries. Visual impairment in the elderly affects their day to day activities and influences their ability to live an independent life (Haymes et al., 2002) and increases there need for social care. Also, there is a solid association between visual impairment and undesirable outcomes as well as lower life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, reduced social interaction and function, and poor quality of life. Poor vision in the elderly has increased risk for falls and mortality. It is important to know that vision is very important in recognizing and processing information about the environment (Loh & Ogle, 2004).

According to the International classification of diseases (2012), visual functions have four levels which are; normal vision, moderate visual impairment, severe visual impairment and blindness. The most common cause of visual impairment in the elderly are glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, refractive error, age related macular degeneration and cataract. Age related macular is characterized by loss of central vision and glaucoma, by a particular Pattern of progressive damage to the optic nerve. Due to the fact that this symptom may be asymptomatic, regular screening examinations are recommended for elderly patients. Among the causes of visual impairment, refractive error and cataract are the most common in older people but surgery is most at times effective in restoring vision since there no medical treatment to prevent the development of the prevention of cataracts (Daniel Anderson et al., 2020). Also, provision of corrective glasses have shown consistent benefit in reducing disability, limitation in activities, anxiety, depression, risk of falls and fractures (Vela et al.,2012).

The different levels of visual impairment are likely to be seen as one advance with age thereby, bringing great challenges to elderly patients suffering with visual impairment as they no longer live lives of comfort. People with visual challenges have deteriorated health status and health status as compared to people who are not visually impaired (Lecovick et al., 2004). This study therefore, is aimed to determine the rate of visual impairment and factors associated with this health problem.

1.2 Problem Statement

Loss of vision among the elderly has been and is still a major health problem. According to findings, the Finnish Federation of the visually impaired (FFVI, 2012) mentions that about 80% of people who are visually impaired are the elderly as the prevalence of visual impairment increased with age. A good number of persons minimize the severity of visual impairment in the old, paying little attention to it and see it to be normal meanwhile, it is a cause of other health and social issues. Some of which are; risk of falls and depression, loss of mobility and socialization to mention a few. This study sought to assess the rate of visual impairment and to determine the factors associated with this health issue.

1.3 Research Questions

1. What is the rate of visual impairment among the elderly in the Bokwaongo community?
2. What are the causes of visual impairment in the elderly?

1.4 Objectives of Research

1.4.1 General objectives

The purpose of this study is to determine the rate of visual impairment among the elderly.

1.4.2 Specific objectives

1. To assess the rate of visual impairment among the elderly in the Bokwaongo health area.
2. To determine the causes of visual impairment among the elderly in the Bokwaongo community.