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Objective To elucidate the clinical profile of visual impairment (VI) and the effect of low-vision devices (LVD) among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methodology A retrospective observational study was used. Case records of patients who reported to the low-vision care clinic with POAG were recruited for the study. Glaucoma was defined according to the International Society for Geographical and EO classification. Demographic data, visual acuity (LogMAR), clinical diagnosis, visual fields, occupation, and LVD prescribed were extracted from the records. The visual acuity pre- and post-use of LVD was compared. Visual acuity improvement while using the LVD was noted. Results Of the 200 POAG cases, 20% (n=40) had severe, 15.5% (n=31) had profound (<3/60), 20.5% (n=41) profound (<1/60), and 26.5% (n=53) had total blindness in the VI category. Significant improvement was noted for both distance and near vision (p=0.004 and p=0.000, respectively) for single-vision glasses, and significant improvement (p=0.000) was also noted for patients corrected for both distance and near correction (bifocal/progressive). Patients with severe visual field loss (p=0.004) and with a visual field defect of <10 degrees (p=0.000) both showed a significant improvement in near vision with low-vision rehabilitation. The proportion of patients earning showed improvement following LVD use compared to those who did not have self-earning (60% vs. 40.24%, p=0.0116). Conclusion LVD significantly improved near vision in POAG patients with advanced glaucoma, a visual field defect of less than 10 degrees. To effectively manage POAG patients with low vision, it is vital to understand both the ocular diseases causing VI and the patient's visual requirements and provide timely management.
Paramasivan et al. (Sun,) studied this question.