Prevalance of functional blindness, visual impairment, and related functional deficits among elderly Mexican Americans

Background. This report describes the prevalence and correlates of function al blindness and visual impairment among older Mexican Americans, using dat a on 2800 respondents from the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epi demiological Study of the Elderly. Methods. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between corrected bilateral distant vision and sociodemographic characteristics, selected health conditions, self-reported health status. health care utilization, and functional dependence on the b asis of assistance needed for basic and instrumental activities of daily li ving (ADLs). Results. Using a modified Snellen test for distance visual acuity, 5% of ol der Mexican Americans were found to be functionally blind. and 13.5% were f ound to be visually impaired. Vision loss was significantly associated with older age, lower education, hypertension, diabetes, poor self-rated health , and hospitalization during the year prior to the interview. Over 50% of f unctionally blind subjects required assistance with at least one basic ADL, compared with 15% of those who were visually impaired and 8% of those who were not visually impaired. Conclusions. The prevalence of functional blindness in this sample of elder ly Mexican Americans was higher than reported for the general elderly popul ation, yet they also have higher rates of adequate vision because of the lo w prevalence of visual impairment, The results suggest a need for more rese arch on the prevalence and impact of functional blindness and Visual impair ment on the health of older Mexican Americans.