Disability in Daily Life Activities and Visual Impairment: A population study of 85-year-old people living at home

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Abstract
Within the framework of the gerontological and geriatric population studies in Göteborg, Sweden, H70, 617 85-year-old people were studied in a cross-sectional study. The purpose was to describe disability in activities of daily living (ADL) and how it is related to visual impairment, focusing on age-related macular degeneration (AMD). People with visual impairment, especially those with AMD, were found to be more dependent on help in both personal activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living compared with elderly persons with normal vision. The proportion of participants with disability in ADL and the relative risk of developing ADL dependence increased with the decrease in visual acuity (VA). However, the relationship between ADL and VA was weak, implying that people adapt to the consequences of the disease, although to different degrees. The results indicate that early detection and intervention might be essential to improve the odds for successful rehabilitation.