Table 3.
Vision-Specific Characteristics of the GA Group in a Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in 17 Sites in the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, and Canada
| Variable | GA Group (n=137) |
|---|---|
| Registered as legally blind (self-report), n (%) | |
| Yes | 17 (12.4) |
| Ongoinga | 8 (5.8) |
| Driving license, n (%) | |
| Yes | 76 (55.5) |
| Confident driving during the day, n (%)b | n=76 |
| Yes | 36 (48.0) |
| Confident driving at night, n (%)b | n=76 |
| Yes | 9 (12.0) |
| Transport regularly used, n (%)c | |
| Do not use transport | 1 (0.7) |
| Drive own vehicle | 36 (26.3) |
| Public transport | 66 (48.2) |
| Taxi | 56 (40.9) |
| Travel with paid caregiver | 8 (5.8) |
| Travel with partner/friend | 103 (75.2) |
| Adjustment(s) made to home, n (%)b | |
| Yes | 53 (39.0) |
| Participation in vision support group(s), n (%) | |
| Yes | 10 (7.3) |
| Support/benefit from government, n (%)b | |
| Yes | 16 (11.8) |
| Used eye rehabilitation services in 12 months prior, n (%)c,d | 25 (18.2) |
| Low-vision clinics | 22 (88.0) |
| Physical/occupational therapist | 2 (8.0) |
| Support groups | 3 (12.0) |
| Other | 1 (4.0) |
| Used vision-related equipment in 12 months prior, n (%)c,e | 74 (54.0) |
| Portable lighting | 18 (24.3) |
| Glasses | 47 (63.5) |
| Magnifiers | 56 (75.7) |
| Binoculars | 5 (6.8) |
| Reading aids | 13 (17.6) |
| Independent living aids | 10 (13.5) |
| Computer and communication tools | 1 (1.4) |
| Cane, white cane, walking stick | 13 (17.6) |
| Other | 7 (9.5) |
| Assistance with activities of daily living, n (%) | |
| Yes received assistance: | 60 (43.8) |
| Unpaid assistancef | 43 (71.7) |
| Paid assistancef | 17 (28.3) |
| No assistance required | 77 (56.2) |
| Home health services in 12 months prior, n (%)c,g | 14 (10.2) |
| Community nurse/occupational therapist | 9 (64.3) |
| Counseling | 0 |
| Support from charities | 2 (14.3) |
| Other | 5 (35.7) |
Notes: aPatients were currently going through the process for blindness classification and/or registration process pending completion. bInformation missing for 1 patient. cPatients could contribute to multiple categories. dPercentages for each service were based on the total number of patients using an eye rehabilitation service during the specified period (0–12 months before index). ePercentages for each piece of equipment were based on the total number of patients using vision-related equipment during the specified period (0–12 months). fPercentages were based on the total number of patients who received assistance. gPercentages for each health care service were based on the total number of patients using health care services during the specified period (0–12 months before index). Percentages are based on non-missing values.
Abbreviation: GA, geographic atrophy.