The impact of refractive error correction on health-related quality of life in nursing home residents in Armenia

PURPOSE: This study assessed the impact of refractive error (RE) correction on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among nursing home residents. MATERIALS/METHODS: This quasi-experimental study with comparison group enrolled 249 participants for baseline and follow-up assessments in August 2021 and January 2022, respectively. Ophthalmic examination was conducted and visual acuity was assessed at baseline. Spectacles were distributed at three months before the follow-up. The interviewer-administered questionnaire assessed participants' socio-demographics and HRQoL using a 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Patient compliance with wearing spectacles was measured. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 72.6. About 42.0% had mild to severe visual impairment (VI), while 5.0% were blind. At the follow-up, the normal vision improved from 52.8% to 64.9%, while mild to severe VI decreased from 42.3% to 30.3%. In the RE correction group, 83.3% of visually impaired people improved their vision to normal after receiving spectacles and 70.8% had corrected presbyopia. At the follow-up, those who had corrected their vision reported significantly better physical (PHC) and mental health component (MHC) scores of SF-36, particularly in physical functioning, emotional well-being, and pain. Those who had not corrected their vision reported no significant improvement in both PHC and MHC. There were no significant differences in baseline to follow-up mean change scores for PHC and MHC between those who corrected their vision and those who had not. CONCLUSION: Access to comprehensive eye care services including regular eye screenings, provision of spectacles, and interventions facilitating spectacle-wearing compliance might improve ophthalmic health and HRQoL in this population.