African Americans endure a disproportionate burden of visual impairment. Vision quality of life was characterized by daily tasks and emotional well-being. Field loss had the greatest impact on completing daily visual tasks. A meaningful change in visual task was associated with 6 dB lower visual field. Preventing visual field loss is important for preserving vision quality of life.
I presented 3 papers to my committee while defending my dissertation in epidemiology. I proposed the first two projects in clinical epidemiology of visual impairment during my [Qualifying Exam](https://domgrisafe.com/talk/quals-vfl-vsqol-multiethnic-lac/) the previous fall. I identified a novel project in the environmental epidemiology of air pollution and primary open angle glaucomatous pathology.
For the qualifying exam, I presented my dissertation on how visual impairment affects quality of life in multiethnic cohorts from Los Angeles. A committee of medical professors questioned the methodology, interpretation, and implications of the research. I concluded by proposing future projects for the dissertation.