Decreased Quality of Life in Indonesia^s Visually Impaired Population Affected by the Impact of Visual Impairment and Eye Disease
M. Rusli

Faculty Of Economics And Business, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

Visual impairment and eye diseases can have a significant impact on a person^s vision-related quality of life. This is due to the important role vision plays in daily life, including in a wide range of social activities, work, mobility, and the ability to enjoy the world around us. This study aimed to analyse the decline in quality of life in the visually impaired population in Indonesia as influenced by the impact of vision impairment and eye disease. This study used a cross sectional research methodology with a complete ophthalmological examination and interview using a questionnaire. This study was conducted in the province of East Java in Indonesia in the period July - December 2022, following the RISKESDAS- PERDAMI blindness validation study schedule. The results of this study show that there is a decrease in low quality of life influenced by the impact of visual impairment and eye disease. Therefore, this study contributes that to improve the quality of life of the severely visually impaired and blind population in Indonesia, cross-sectoral efforts involving the government, non-governmental organisations, eye care professionals, and the general public are needed. This includes efforts to increase access to affordable eye care, provide psychosocial support, improve social and employment inclusion, and educate the public about the issues faced by individuals with visual impairment. With these measures, it is hoped that the quality of life of individuals with visual impairment can be significantly improved.

Keywords: Decreased Quality of Life, Severely Visually Impaired Population, Eye Disease, GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

Topic: Islamic entrepreneurship and sociopreneur