Personality and functional vision in older adults with age-related macular degeneration

Authors

Barry W. Rovner, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
R. J. Casten, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Jefferson Medical CollegeFollow
Mark T. Hegel, Departments of Psychiatry and Community and Family Medicine, The Geisel School of Medicine at DartmouthFollow
Robert W. Massof, Lions Vision Research and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineFollow
Benjamin E. Leiby, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Jefferson Medical CollegeFollow
Allen C. Ho, Wills Eye Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical CollegeFollow
William S. Tasman, Wills Eye Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical CollegeFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2014

Comments

This article has been peer reviewed. It is the authors' final version prior to publication in Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness

Volume 108, Issue 3, May-June 2014, Pages 187-199.

The published version is available at here. Copyright © American Foundation for the Blind

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to determine whether personality traits influence self-reported functional vision in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Low Vision Depression Prevention Trial. Participants (N = 182) over age 65 with bilateral AMD, visual acuity worse than 20/70 in the better-seeing eye, and subthreshold depression were recruited from the Wills Eye Hospital retina practice. Assessments included visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 plus Supplement (NEI VFQ-25) near and distance subscales, depression, and personality testing. Structural equation models were used to investigate the relationship of the NEI VFQ near activities and distance activities with the various demographic, clinical, and psychological predictors. Results: In the single-predictor model for near functional vision, visual acuity at logMAR ≤ 1 (estimate = -0.33 [95% confidence interval {CI} -0.46, -0.20]; p ≤ 0.001), neuroticism (estimate = -0.05 [95% CI -0.08, -0.01]; p = 0.01), and education (estimate = -0.08 [95% CI 0.01, 0.15]; p = 0.03) were statistically significant predictors. In the single-predictor model for distance functional vision, only visual acuity at logMAR ≤ 1 (estimate = -0.49 [95% CI -0.69, -0.29]; p ≤ 0.001) and neuroticism (estimate = -0.09 [95% CI -0.15, 0.02]; p = 0.008) were statistically significant predictors. Discussion: Self-reported functional vision depends on the severity of vision loss as well as the personality trait of neuroticism. Implications for practitioners: Assessment of personality traits, particularly neuroticism, may increase the precision of rating scales of functional vision and suggest new rehabilitative interventions to improve the functional vision and quality of life of patients with AMD © 2014 AFB, All Rights Reserved.

Recommended Citation

Rovner, Barry W.; Casten, R. J.; Hegel, Mark T.; Massof, Robert W.; Leiby, Benjamin E.; Ho, Allen C.; and Tasman, William S., "Personality and functional vision in older adults with age-related macular degeneration" (2014). Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers. Paper 20.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/phbfp/20