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

Abstract

Purpose

Participation is a key outcome of rehabilitation. However, no reviews have investigated the impact of low vision on the activities, participation, and goals of older adults. This paper aims to review and synthesize available literature on how low vision impacts the activity and participation of older adults.

Method

A scoping review was conducted. The key findings were extracted from 30 full-text articles that met the selection criteria. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health was used to frame the findings at the activity and participation levels.

Results

At the activity level, the categories of Walking, Moving around in different locations, and Reading were commonly impacted by low vision. The main domains impacted at the participation level were Community, social and civic life and Interpersonal interaction and relationships. Only one study addressed the goals of older adults with low vision.

Conclusion

Low vision impacts reading, walking, and moving around in different locations. Rehabilitation therapists should be aware of and consider assessing these activities. Further research is needed on the impact of low vision on other functional activities, participation, and self-identified goals of older adults to guide clinical practice.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Low vision has an impact on the activity level of older adults, consistently identified in the areas of walking and moving around in different locations and reading for knowledge and leisure.

• At the participation level, the impact of low vision is less frequently identified compared to the areas identified at the activity level, in the areas of leisure, social interactions and basic and instrumental ADL.

• Rehabilitation therapists working with older adults with low vision should assess clients’ performance of moving around in different locations, in addition to walking, and include screening questions on the impact of low vision on driving.

• Rehabilitation therapists working with older adults with low vision should determine clients’ reading needs and acquire competence in assessing clients’ reading ability and providing intervention for different types of reading to enable them to continue participating in various life situations that require the performance of reading.

Keywords:

• Low vision
• activity
• participation
• goals
• older adults

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the scholarship provided by Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore, which funded the PhD studies of Ms. Debbie Boey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).