Citation

Goodrich GL, Ludt R. Vis. Impair. Res. 2004; 5(2): 57.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1076/vimr.5.2.57.26265

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We investigated the mobility performance of legally blind patients with age-related maculopathy (ARM) as assessed by their ability to visually detect hazards in their travel path. The three types of hazards were: drop-offs (a curb), obstacle on the travel surface (a small wastebasket), and a head-height obstacle (a piece of foam insulation projecting across the travel path at head height). We also recorded the patient's logMAR visual acuity and Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity. Three distinct daylight assessments were made in a naturalistic outdoor environment: an initial assessment of distance to visually detect each of the three types of hazards; an assessment designed to assess the subject's maximum potential visual detection distance; and a final assessment following training and fitting with filters to reduce glare to determine the increase, if any, in visual detection distance for the three types of hazards. The inter-rater and test/retest reliabilities of the assessment procedure were studied. The results indicated that many ARM patients are unable to visually detect some hazards at a safe distance, that their ability to improve can be predicted from the assessment, and that most subjects can improve their ability to visually detect obstacles if provided appropriate training and filters. The limitations of this study and their implications are discussed.

Language: en