Vision Related Qulaity of Life (VRQOL) Among Individuals with Visual Impairment- A Descriptive Cross Sectional Study

Authors

N. Dhanesh Kumar

Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

H. Juliet Sylvia

Principal, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

B. Ann Hephzibah

B.Sc. (N)-IV Year, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

N. Anitha Sangari

B.Sc. (N)-IV Year, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

N. Abi

B.Sc. (N)-IV Year, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

S. Abinaya

B.Sc. (N)-IV Year, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

P. Abin

B.Sc. (N)-IV Year, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

G. Anisha

B.Sc. (N)-IV Year, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

S. L. Akash

B.Sc. (N)-IV Year, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

P. Alagappa

B.Sc. (N)-IV Year, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

T. Abhishek Roshan Ganth

B.Sc. (N)-IV Year, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

S. Asaipandi

B.Sc. (N)-IV Year, Sacred Heart Nursing College, Madurai, affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (India)

Article Information

DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI.2026.1308000077

Subject Category: Nursing

Volume/Issue: 13/8 | Page No: 918-927

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2026-08-24

Accepted: 2026-08-29

Published: 2026-09-04

Abstract

Introduction: Visual impairment is a major public health concern that can adversely affect daily functioning, independence, psychological well-being, and social participation. Assessing vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) provides valuable insight into the impact of visual impairment beyond clinical measures. This study assessed VRQOL among visually impaired individuals in Madurai. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted at Kirubai Foundation Trust, Blindness Colony, Madurai. Fifty individuals with visual impairment were selected using convenient sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Overall, 44% of participants had fair VRQOL, 34% had good VRQOL, 12% had poor VRQOL, and 10% had excellent VRQOL. No statistically significant association was found between VRQOL and demographic variables, including age, gender, marital status, education, and employment, or clinical variables such as comorbidity and diagnosis (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Most participants experienced fair VRQOL, highlighting the need for comprehensive rehabilitation, assistive technologies, social support, and nursing interventions to promote independence and well-being among visually impaired individuals.

Keywords

Visual impairment; Vision-related quality of life; Quality of life; Visually impaired individuals

Downloads

References

1. Brown, M. M., Brown, G. C., Sharma, S., Landy, J., & Bakal, J. (2002). Quality of life with visual acuity loss from diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Archives of Ophthalmology, 120(4), 481–484. https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.120.4.481 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Chia, E. M., Wang, J. J., Rochtchina, E., Smith, W., Cumming, R. R., & Mitchell, P. (2004). Impact of bilateral visual impairment on health-related quality of life: The Blue Mountains Eye Study. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 45(1), 71–76. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.03-0661 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Finger, R. P., Fenwick, E., Marella, M., Dirani, M., Holz, F. G., & Lamoureux, E. L. (2011). The relative impact of vision impairment and cardiovascular disease on quality of life: The example of pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 9, 113. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-9-113 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Flaxman, S. R., Bourne, R. R. A., Resnikoff, S., Ackland, P., Braithwaite, T., Cicinelli, M. V., Das, A., Jonas, J. B., Keeffe, J., Kempen, J. H., Leasher, J., Limburg, H., Naidoo, K., Pesudovs, K., Silvester, A., Stevens, G. A., Tahhan, N., Wong, T. Y., & Taylor, H. R. (2017). Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment 1990–2020: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 5(12), e1221–e1234. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(17)30393-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Langelaan, M. (2007). Quality of life of visually impaired working age adults [Doctoral dissertation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam]. Vrije Universiteit Research Portal. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Langelaan, M., de Boer, M. R., van Nispen, R. M. A., Wouters, B., Moll, A. C., & van Rens, G. H. M. B. (2007). Impact of visual impairment on quality of life: A comparison with quality of life in the general population and with other chronic conditions. Ophthalmic Epidemiology, 14(3), 119–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/09286580601139212 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Mangione, C. M., Lee, P. P., Gutierrez, P. R., Spritzer, K., Berry, S., & Hays, R. D. (2001). Development of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire. Archives of Ophthalmology, 119(7), 1050–1058. https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.119.7.1050 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Mangione, C. M., Lee, P. P., Pitts, J., Gutierrez, P. R., Berry, S., & Hays, R. D. (1998). Psychometric properties of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ). Archives of Ophthalmology, 116(11), 1496–1504. https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.116.11.1496 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Resnikoff, S., Pascolini, D., Etya'ale, D., Kocur, I., Pararajasegaram, R., Pokharel, G. P., & D. O. D. (2004). Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 82(11), 844–851. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Varma, R., Wu, J., Chong, K., Azen, S. P., Hays, R. D., & Los Angeles Latino Eye Study Group. (2006). Impact of severity and bilaterality of visual impairment on health-related quality of life. Ophthalmology, 113(10), 1846–1853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2006.04.028 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. West, S. K., Rubin, G. S., Broman, A. T., Muñoz, B., Bandeen-Roche, K., & Turano, K. (2002). How does visual impairment affect performance on tasks of everyday life? The SEE Project. Archives of Ophthalmology, 120(6), 774–780. https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.120.6.774 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. World Health Organization. (2019). World report on vision. World Health Organization. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. World Health Organization. (2023). Blindness and vision impairment. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

Metrics

Views & Downloads

Similar Articles