Occurrence of eye disorders and need for treatment in the elderly in special dwellings and nursing homes [corrected].
The prevalence of eye disorders and need for ophthalmological procedures due to pathological processes were studied among elderly people living in 8 special dwellings [corrected] and nursing homes in northern Finland (N = 268). The participation rate was 100%. Hyperopia was the most common disorder found (men: 78%, women 77-78%). Macular degeneration was found in 54-55% of men and 45-46% of women, senile cataract in 32-33% of men and 28-31% of women and palpebral dermatochalasis or blepharochalasis in 25-26% of men and 31% of women. Hyperopia was more common in younger persons, but senile cataract, macular degeneration and palpebral dermatochalasis or blepharochalasis were more common in older persons. Basic ophthalmological examinations led to a high number of secondary procedures. Ophthalmological treatment and rehabilitation seemed to be neglected in these Finnish special dwellings [corrected] and nursing homes. Because sight is an important determinant of elderly people's ability to manage their daily activities, the authors propose that more attention should be paid to the screening of ophthalmological problems and to ophthalmological treatment and rehabilitation in special dwellings and nursing homes [corrected].