# Undetected Visual Impairment Among Older People and Its Impact on Vision-Related Quality of Life: A Study Protocol

## TL;DR

This study aims to understand how common undetected vision loss is in older people and how it affects their quality of life.

## Contribution

The study introduces a protocol to explore undetected visual impairment prevalence and its impact on older adults' quality of life.

## Key findings

- The study will collect data on undetected visual impairment prevalence in older adults.
- It will examine the relationship between visual impairment and quality of life using the NEI VFQ-25.
- Semi-structured interviews will provide insights into how older people cope with visual impairment.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Ageing is a continuous process of physiological changes that occur over time and affect both ability and function, including vision. A major health issue for older people is visual impairment, which affects both daily activities and quality of life. Undetected visual impairment is a significant problem. Therefore, early detection is crucial to enable older people to optimise their vision and/or receive eye care. This study protocol aims to explore the prevalence of undetected visual impairment among the ageing population and its impact on their quality of life. Methods: This study has an exploratory design. We include participants attending a healthcare centre and participants attending an optician, aged 75 years and older, in Sweden. At baseline eye examinations, fundus photography, the National Eye Institute 25-item Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and health economic data are collected. Individual semi-structured interviews (n = 25–30) will then be conducted about older people’s experiences of visual impairment, both consequences and strategies for coping with visual impairment in daily life. The NEI VFQ-25 and health economic data will be collected at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Conclusions: This study will provide important knowledge to facilitate early detection of visual impairment in older people, thereby providing a deeper understanding of methods to preserve visual function and quality of life despite the presence of visual impairment.