Because this is good design for all persons, the results of much of this research can be extrapolated to other veteran and civilian groups. The lead article, by De l'Aune, et al. , is a description of the largest study ever undertaken to evaluate the outcomes of rehabilitation for visual impairment. It will document program evaluation and effectiveness within both the veteran and civilian populations. The results of this VA-funded project should assist in program evaluation and revision, and provide a blueprint for the future. This article discusses the development and evaluation of the instruments that are being deployed for this national multi-site study.
Macular degeneration is the most prevalent cause of visual impairment in developed countries.
The loss of daily living skills and independent mobility that accompanies severe visual impairment due to macular loss is a critical public health issue. The article by Schuchard, et al. , describes the vision function characteristics of patients with macular loss and documents changes in these characteristics between initial and follow-up visits. They did not find that the position of the PRL related to the macular scotoma was a rate-limiting factor, as had been postulated by earlier researchers using simulated visual impairment. This research is important, studies that simulate visual impairment in a laboratory situation must be replicated with data collected from persons with visual impairment in order to assure that conclusions are relevant and that research leads to real solutions. Reducing light levels contributed significantly to the amount of time required to complete a mobility course and also contributed to unwanted contacts with objects on the course.