Effects of Refractive Correction on Quality of Life in Elderly People

Background: Error of refraction takes place due to the inability of the ocular system to converge rays of light at a single point, producing an unfocused, blurred image of an object on the retinal plane due to any irregularity in the structure of the eye. Objective: To evaluate the effects of refractive correction on the quality of life and daily living activities among elderly people. Methodology: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, data were collected by using a self-designed questionnaire with categorized scoring of quality of life, filled out by elderly patients who evaluated the effect of refractive correction on their quality of life. The descriptive cross-sectional study utilized a sample size of 93. The questionnaire was comprised of various questions about daily living activities, independence, and productivity level in elderly people, so that the quality of life in them could be assessed. Qualitative variables were presented in the form of percentages and frequencies. Data was collected by using a self-designed questionnaire with categorized scoring of quality of life, filled by elderly people which evaluated the effect of refractive correction on their quality of life. Results: The level of quality of life with scoring of 0-20 that represented poor quality of life, 21-50 represented moderate and 51-75 represented good quality of life, it was evaluated that 18 participants (19.4%) showed moderate quality of life, 75 participants (80.6%) showed good quality of life and none of the participants showed poor quality of life with refractive correction. Out of 93, 71 participants (76.4%) did not have difficulty in performing their daily living activities with refractive correction. About 74 (79.6%) participants felt comfort and independence in doing their tasks with refractive correction. While 77 people (82.8%) were feeling productive and creative in doing social networking, that helped them achieve a good quality of life. Conclusion: Correction of refractive error in elderly people improves their quality of life, enabling them to accomplish daily activities with comfort and independence. Good quality of vision due to corrected refractive error leads to a good quality of life that adds to the overall well-being of people in old age.