XXXX needs in an urban Swedish population followed from the ages of 70 to 97 years of age.

@entity1 @entity227 @entity231 @entity2516 @entity4064
PURPOSE: To investigate the longitudinal change in visual acuity (VA) in the oldest members of the elderly population, to estimate future numbers of @entity1 with @entity227 , and to estimate needs for and the effects of visual rehabilitation. METHODS: In the Gerontological and Geriatric Population Studies in Gothenburg, Sweden (H 70), subjects underwent repeated eye examinations at the ages of 70, 82, 88, 95 and 97 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the probability of independent living as a function of distance VA at different ages. RESULTS: Rates of normal VA (>or= 0.8) declined from 86% of the study group at age 70 to 7% of the study group at age 95 (0% at age 97). The incidence of VA <or= 0.1 increased from 1.4% at age 70 to 27% (all @entity1 ) at age 97. The deterioration was faster at higher ages. No statistically significant difference in best-corrected distance VA between genders was found. A substantial improvement was achieved by correcting @entity2516 . There was a statistically significant correlation between distance VA and the probability of independent living at all ages except age 97. At ages 95 and 97, about 50% of the study group were able to read newspaper print with best-corrected glasses. CONCLUSIONS: The number of old @entity1 with @entity227 will increase. @entity1 aged 80 years and older should have regular eye-screening in order to preserve vision and present conditions of living. @entity231 surgery and @entity4064 rehabilitation should be offered when the subject can still benefit from it, preferably during their 80s at the latest.
