Vision and independence in older adults
Characterizing Vision Impairment and Its Impact on Independence in Older Adults
Researchers are adding home vision tests for older women to see how sight problems relate to daily activities, mood, thinking, and physical health.
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 ID | NIH-11259578 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have simple vision tests done at home that measure distance clarity and contrast sensitivity (how well you see in low light or low-contrast situations). The team will add these tests to a one-time home visit for about 4,200 women who have been followed in the Women’s Health Initiative for decades. They will combine the vision results with years of health, cognitive, social, and physical function information to describe how common vision problems are and how they relate to independence and well-being. The focus is especially on the oldest participants (age 80+), and the study will note how many problems are correctable, like needing glasses or cataract treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older women already in the Women’s Health Initiative (especially those age 80 and older) who can receive an in-home visit and complete simple vision tests.
Not a fit: Men, younger adults, or people not part of the WHI home-visit group are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit from joining this specific study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal common, treatable vision problems in very old adults and point to ways to help people stay safer and more independent.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have documented uncorrected refractive error and cataracts as common and treatable in older adults, but few large population studies have measured contrast sensitivity in the oldest-old, so parts of this work are relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- 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
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 below.