Understanding how vision impairment affects independence in older adults
Official title: Characterizing Vision Impairment and Its Impact on Independence in Older Adults
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11015925 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how common vision problems are in people aged 80 and older and how these issues affect their daily lives, with the goal of finding ways to improve care for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $757,004 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033907-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015925 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 80 and above who may be experiencing vision impairment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 80 or those without any vision impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the prevalence and impact of vision impairment among older adults aged 80 and over. By conducting home visits for vision tests, including distance visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, the study aims to gather data on how these impairments affect daily activities and overall quality of life. The research will analyze the relationship between vision impairment and various health indicators, providing valuable insights into the challenges faced by this age group. The findings could help inform better care strategies and interventions for older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of vision impairment, enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing vision impairment in older adults can significantly improve their quality of life, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gower, Emily W — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Gower, Emily W
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.