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

This study assessed the impact of refractive error (RE) correction on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among nursing home residents. 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. 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. 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. Visual impairment and blindness in nursing home residents were higher compared to proportions found in a nationwide survey in Armenia and globally.Participants who had corrected their vision reported significantly better physical and mental health at follow-up compared to baseline.Regular eye screenings, provision of spectacles, and interventions facilitating spectacle-wearing compliance might improve ophthalmic health and quality of life in nursing home residents. Visual impairment and blindness in nursing home residents were higher compared to proportions found in a nationwide survey in Armenia and globally. Participants who had corrected their vision reported significantly better physical and mental health at follow-up compared to baseline. Regular eye screenings, provision of spectacles, and interventions facilitating spectacle-wearing compliance might improve ophthalmic health and quality of life in nursing home residents.