The aim: was to evaluate the effect of rehabilitation program for elderly with low
vision to improve their daily living activities. Design: This study is a quasi-experimental research design. Setting: This study was conducted at two locations, the Ophthalmologic Outpatient Clinic at Ain Shams University Hospital and their homes. Sample: A purposive sample, of 120 elderly diagnosed with low vision, was chosen randomly from a total of 1200 according to these criteria; age above 60 years, and accepting to go through the study program. Tools: Data were collected using three tools. First tool: An interviewing questionnaire, consisting of four parts: 1) Socio-demographic characteristics 2) Awareness of the elderly with low vision towards their disease 3) Psychological, and social problems among the elderly with low vision (used pre/post program), and 4) Daily living activities problems, and instrumental activities of daily living (used pre/post & follow up program). Second tool: An observational check-list for assessing the patients' home environment. Third tool consisted of two parts to collect data from medical records to assess the medical health history, and the medical health problems among the elderly with low vision. Results: The main results revealed that there were significant relations between high level of education of the elderly and their awareness regarding to their low visual disorder, and between their sufficient monthly income and their independent daily living activities. As well there were highly statistically significant differences throughout program phases (pre, post, & follow up), among the study group regarding the independent daily living activities and their home environment. Recommendations: The present study, recommended increasing the elderly awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations, simple modifications in-home adaptation, and the importance of social activities to react with people for improving their psychological problems. A National program for low vision should be available in the governmental hospitals of Ophthalmology for elderly people, so they can be treated and get low vision aids with low cost for reading, and mobility activities.
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