DOUBLE IMPACT OF VISION IMPAIRMENT ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is significantly reduced by vision impairment (VI), which affects social, emotional, and physical functioning.

Objective: This meta-analysis and systematic review were conducted to assess how visual impairment affects general and vision (double impact) related quality of life metrics.

Methodology: A thorough search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases turned up research comparing the health-related QoL (HRQoL) and vision-related QoL (VRQoL) of adults with moderate-to-severe VI or blindness to controls. To calculate 95% CIs and standardized mean differences (SMDs), a random-effects meta-analysis was used. Subgroup analyses by region, severity definition, and QoL tool (EQ-5D, SF-36, NEI VFQ-25) were carried out. The Egger's test and funnel plots were used to evaluate publication bias.

Results: There were 17 studies with 5,842 participants. Participants with visual impairments showed a substantial deficit in HRQoL, according to a pooled analysis (SMD = –1.02, 95% CI: –1.25 to –0.79, I² = 67%, p < 0.001). The SF-36 had larger impacts (SMD = –1.18) than the EQ-5D (SMD = –0.88), according to subgroup analysis by instrument. Analysis of six studies' vision-related QoL (NEI VFQ-25) revealed a greater deficiency (SMD = –1.55, 95% CI: –1.88 to –1.22, I² = 81%, p < 0.001)..

Conclusion: Visual impairment significantly lowers both general and vision-specific quality of life, with a particular impact on everyday activities, social functioning, and mental health. To improve the quality of life for people with visual impairment these findings highlight the necessity of early detection, low-vision rehabilitation, and psychological therapies.