Abstract:
The objectives of this survey research were to study factors related to adaptation to visual impairment in adults with low vision. These four factors were: age at start of having low vision, duration of having low vision, number of problems with seeing and social support from family. The samples were 129 adults with low vision, aged between 21-60 years who received service from Vision Rehabilitation Clinic at Ophthalmology Department at Siriraj hospital. Samples size was calculated by using G*Power program version 3.1.9.2. Data collection was made by face to face interview with questionnaires. Statistics used in data analysis were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Simple linear regression. The results showed that 3 visual factors: age at start of having low vision, duration of having low vision and numbers of seeing problems, were not significantly related with adaptation to low vision in adults. Only a non-visual factor, social support, was found to be significantly related with adaptation to low vision in adults at 0.01 levels (r = 0.412, p < 0.01). Simple linear regression was used to predict the adaptation to low vision. The equation was as follow: Adaptation to low vision = 5.554 + 0.142 (social support scores) with coefficient values of 17%. The result of this study can be used by counselors, service providers in the low vision rehabilitation sector. Information regarding understanding difficulties in performing daily activities, environmental and home adjustment, use of assistive devices and support from family can help people who have low vision to adapt to their vision loss and still continue their productive lives.