Near visual acuity: a simple measure of practical significance in insulin-treated diabetic patients.

The value of measuring near visual acuity as a predictor of loss of independence in administering insulin and monitoring blood or urine glucose has been assessed in 110 insulin-treated diabetic patients. Near visual acuity was simple to measure in the clinic setting, and correlated well with 6 m acuity. Fourteen patients depended on an assistant either to draw up the correct dose of insulin (n = 12), inject the insulin (n = 7) or to monitor blood or urine glucose (n = 12). Of these 14 patients only one, who was demented, had near visual acuity better than N.12. Two other patients had near visual acuity N.12 or worse and yet were independent of help. One had severe visual impairment and used a pen-injector and a meter with speech synthesizer, and the other had near visual acuity of N.12. Impairment of near visual acuity to N.12 or worse is associated with loss of independence in insulin-treated diabetes. Measurement of near visual acuity could be useful in predicting independence of insulin-treated patients.