Associations between geriatric status and eye diseases among residents of the arkhangelsk region

Introduction. Visual impairment represents a significant geriatric syndrome that markedly diminishes the quality of life in elderly patients. As a potentially modifiable risk factor for loss of autonomy; vision disorders may adversely affect both the clinical status and prognosis of aging individuals.

The aim. To investigate the correlations between ophthalmic pathologies and geriatric syndromes could enhance the comprehensive assessment of health status in this patient population.

Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 481 patients aged 80.96 ± 0.24 years; hospitalized at the Arkhangelsk Veterans Hospital between 2020 and 2022. The data collection methods included medical record analysis; ophthalmological examination; and assessment of geriatric syndromes using screening diagnostic methods employed in comprehensive geriatric evaluations.

Results. Glaucoma was detected in 35.2 % of cases; cataracts in 25.2 %; optic disc pathology in 10.5 %; age-related macular degeneration in 75.5 %; refractive errors in 16.8 %; and secondary retinopathy in 16.8 %. Regression analysis revealed that glaucoma was associated with malnutrition (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.21–2.74). Secondary retinopathies showed a correlation with malnutrition (OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.07–3.16). Refractive errors were associated with cognitive impairment (OR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.68–3.00).

Conclusions. Glaucoma; cataracts; secondary retinopathies; and refractive errors were associated with geriatric syndromes such as decreased walking speed; malnutrition; balance disorders; cognitive impairment; and depression. The study findings may be used for early diagnosis of geriatric syndromes and the development of personalized rehabilitation programs for elderly patients with ophthalmic conditions.

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