Detection of vision impairment in people admitted to aged care assessment centres

Vision is not routinely tested when the health of older people is assessed, and the aim of this study was to detect older people with vision impairment for referral to appropriate eye care services. People admitted for assessment and or rehabilitation in three aged care assessment centres had distance and near visual acuity assessed with a simplified vision test. A pinhole test was used when necessary. Referral criteria were distance visual acuity of less than 6/12; near vision of less than N8, and people with diabetes who had not attended a dilated fundus examination in the last 2 years. Visual acuity results were obtained in 93% of patients (685/735). Those unable to perform the vision test were very ill or had severe cognitive impairment. Forty-three per cent of patients (266/646) had impaired vision and, of these, 70.6% (188/266) were referred to eye care specialists. Forty-five per cent were referred to ophthalmologists, 36% to optometrists and 20% to low vision services. This significant proportion of patients with poor vision suggests that vision screening is warranted.     

Barriers to accessing low vision services

AIM: To investigate barriers to accessing low vision services in Australia. METHODS: Adults with a vision impairment (<6/12 in the better eye and/or significant visual field defect), who were current patients at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH), were interviewed. The questions investigated self-perceived vision difficulties, duration of vision loss and satisfaction with vision and also examined issues of awareness of low vision services and referral to services. Focus groups were also conducted with vision impaired (<6/12 in the better eye) patients from the RVEEH, listeners of the Radio for the Print Handicapped and peer workers at Vision Australia Foundation. The discussions were recorded and transcribed. RESULTS: The questionnaire revealed that referral to low vision services was associated with a greater degree of vision loss (p = 0.002) and a greater self-perception of low vision (p = 0.005) but that referral was not associated with satisfaction (p = 0.144) or difficulties related to vision (p = 0.169). Participants with mild and moderate vision impairment each reported similar levels of difficulties with daily activities and satisfaction with their vision (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in the level of difficulties experienced with daily activities between those with mild-moderate and severe vision impairment (p < 0.05). The participants of the focus groups identified barriers to accessing low vision services related to awareness of services among the general public and eye care professionals, understanding of low vision and the services available, acceptance of low vision, the referral process, and transport. CONCLUSION: In addition to the expected difficulties with lack of awareness of services by people with low vision, many people do not understand what the services provide and do not identify themselves as having low vision. Knowledge of these barriers, from the perspective of people with low vision, can now be used to guide the development and content of future health-promotion campaigns.     

Medicare coverage for vision assistive equipment

Vision loss that cannot be corrected medically, surgically, or by refractive means is considered low vision. Low vision often results in impairment of daily activities, loss of independence, increased risk of fractures, excess health care expense, and reduced physical functioning, quality of life, and life expectancy. Vision rehabilitation can enable more independent functioning for individuals with low vision. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recognizes the importance of rehabilitation for achieving medically necessary goals but has denied Medicare coverage for vision assistive equipment that is necessary to complete these goals, although they provide coverage for assistive equipment to provide compensation for other disabilities. We believe that this is discriminatory and does not comport with congressional intent. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should provide coverage for vision assistive equipment, allowing beneficiaries with vision loss to benefit fully from Medicare-covered rehabilitation to achieve the cost-effective results of these services.     

Perspectives on low vision service in Canada: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: A review of the literature and current practice patterns for vision rehabilitation care in Canada provide a basis for this pilot study, which was undertaken to explore related issues from the perspectives of older adults and low vision service providers. The pilot study was overseen by a number of collaborators whose names are listed at the end of this paper. METHODS: Thirty people aged 60 years or older who had vision impairments and were clients of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind were surveyed by telephone. Ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians completed a mail questionnaire. Vision rehabilitation practitioners and nurses, ophthalmic technicians, and service providers for low vision technical aids were surveyed by e-mail. RESULTS: Ophthalmologists are a primary source of referrals to low vision services, but low functional vision does not always trigger such referrals, nor are referrals always timely. Optometrists are primary providers of low vision services, including dispensing of low vision aids, but such aids are expensive, and inadequate training in their use may contribute to noncompliance. Costs associated with providing low vision assessments and services are higher than compensation to vision service providers, whose capacity to meet increasing demand is limited. In addition, there are disparities between rural and urban areas and among provinces in the availability of, and funding for, services and aids. INTERPRETATION: On the basis of the findings, an emergent theory is proposed on the consequences resulting from lack of planning and standards for vision rehabilitation care. The implications of this study form the basis for further research.     

低视力门诊患者的特征及视觉康复需求

目的探讨低视力患者的视觉康复需求以及拒绝视觉康复的原因,为推广低视力视觉康复模式提供参考。方法回顾性病例研究。收集2013年7月至2014年7月来温州医科大学附属眼视光医院就诊的低视力患者361例,年龄（44.2±23.0）岁,男193例,女168例,主要来自院内转诊（68.5%）。对视力损伤的病因、患者对视觉康复的需求、视觉康复的有效性进行统计和分析。结果20岁以下低视力患者的病因主要是先天性白内障（30.7%）和眼球震颤（28.0%）;20岁及以上主要是病理性近视（25.5%）和其他视网膜疾病（25.2%）。88.2%的患者有视觉康复需求,远视力康复的首要、次要需求是娱乐休闲活动;近视力康复的首要需求是娱乐休闲活动,次要需求是阅读。患者助视器接受率为59.4%,93.6%患者拒绝的原因是仍希望能通过手术、药物等治疗方式改善视功能。结论娱乐休闲活动是温州医科大学附属眼视光医院低视力门诊患者视觉康复的首要需求,制定融合娱乐休闲活动的低视力康复策略可能是一种有效的康复方法。     

A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Effectiveness of Strategies Delivering Low Vision Rehabilitation: Design and Baseline Characteristics of Study Participants

Purpose: To design a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the effectiveness of four different strategies to deliver low vision rehabilitation services.

Methods: The four arms of the RCT comprised—center based rehabilitation, home based rehabilitation, a mix of center based and home based rehabilitation, and center based rehabilitation with home based non interventional supplementary visits by rehabilitation workers. Outcomes were assessed 9 months after baseline and included measuring changes in adaptation to age-related vision loss, quality of life, impact of vision impairment and effectiveness of low vision rehabilitation training. The socio-demographic and vision characteristics of the sample in each of the 4 arms were compared to ensure that outcomes are not associated with differences between the groups.

Results: Four hundred and thirty six individuals were enrolled in the study; 393 individuals completed the study. One-fifth of participants were children aged 8 to 16 years. At baseline, socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between individuals in the four arms of the trial. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics did not differ significantly, except for age, between the 393 individuals who completed the trial and the 43 individuals who dropped out of the study. Twenty six (60.46%) of the forty three drop outs were from the center based arm of the trial.

Conclusions: Information from this trial has the potential to shape policy and practice pertaining to low vision rehabilitation services.     

The newly established primary care based Welsh Low Vision Service is effective and has improved access to low vision services in Wales

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether the new, primary care based, Welsh Low Vision Service (WLVS) improved access to low vision services in Wales and was effective. Method: The impact of the WLVS was determined by measuring the number of low vision appointments; travel time to the nearest service provider; and waiting times for low vision services for 1 year before, and for 1 year after, its establishment. Change in self‐report visual function (using the 7 item NEI‐VFQ), near visual acuity, patient satisfaction and use of low vision aids were used to determine the effectiveness of the service. Results: Following instigation of the WLVS, the number of low vision assessments increased by 51.7%, the waiting time decreased from more than 6 months to less than 2 months for the majority of people, and journey time to the nearest service provider reduced for 80% of people. Visual disability scores improved significantly (p < 0.001) by 0.79 logits and 97.42% patients found the service helpful. Conclusions: The extension of low vision rehabilitation services into primary care identified a considerable unmet burden of need as evidenced by the substantial increase in the number of low vision assessments provided in Wales. The new service is effective and exhibits improved access.     

Impact of age related macular degeneration on quality of life

AIMS: To describe the impact of age related macular degeneration (AMD) on quality of life and explore the association with vision, health, and demographic variables. METHODS: Adult participants diagnosed with AMD and with impaired vision (visual acuity <6/12) were assessed with the Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) questionnaire. Participants rated the extent that vision restricted participation in activities affecting quality of life and completed the Short Form General Health Survey (SF-12) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the 106 participants (66% female) was 83.6 years (range 64-98). One quarter had mild vision impairment, (VA<6/12-6/18) and 75% had moderate or severely impaired vision. Participants reported from at least "a little" concern on 23 of the 32 IVI items including reading, emotional health, mobility, and participation in relevant activities. Those with mild and moderate vision impairment were similarly affected but significantly different from those with severe vision loss (p<0.05). Distance vision was associated with IVI scores but not age, sex, or duration of vision loss. CONCLUSION: AMD affects many quality of life related activities and not just those related to reading. Referral to low vision care services should be considered for people with mild vision loss and worse.     

Developing a disability inclusive model for low vision service

The current practice for low vision management in India exclusively focuses on clinical aspects without much of the rehabilitation components. While making all efforts to improve independent living skills, daily living activities, and quality of life as a whole for people living visual disabilities, vision rehabilitation is an indispensable component. There is no single appropriate low vision and rehabilitation model implementable at health care institutions in the country to cover these fundamental aspects of a visually impaired individual. We did a literature review to know the existing practices of low vision and various disability models. The purpose of the review is to discern any pitfalls and shortcomings in managing visually disabled in India and to underpin the credibility and feasibility as well as suitability of the developed model. The review was done using search key terms low vision, current practices, visual disability, disability models, vision rehabilitation, and service delivery. Therefore, the article discusses the development of an inclusive low vision management model name as “Clinico-Social Model”, which we consider the most appropriate for the best management of people with vision loss. The primary aim of this model is to provide both clinical and vision rehabilitation components of management for people with visual disabilities. Such an approach is likely to have the potential to improve the quality of life of people with vision loss and can provide practical guide to eye care managers across India. Given the specific context in the current practices of low vision in India, it is desirable to design a similar model to care for the visually disabled.     

北京市医疗机构低视力康复服务状况调查

目的 了解北京市医疗机构低视力康复服务能力及现状,为政府低视力康复工作提供政策依据。设计 横断面研究。研究对象 北京市二级及以上医院90家。方法 通过问卷形式对90家医疗机构低视力康复工作进行调查,调查问卷由各调查机构视光和眼科负责人填写。收集的资料进行统计分析。主要指标 问卷应答率、是否开展低视力服务、不能开展低视力服务的原因、低视力康复年服务量、种类、人员状况及助视器的种类。结果 90家医疗机构中,做出有效应答的医疗机构86家,应答率95.56%。可提供低视力康复服务的医疗机构6家（6.98%）。医疗机构未开展低视力康复服务的原因依次是缺乏基本设备和助视器、缺乏资金、缺乏低视力专业人员以及没有患者来源。各家医疗机构提供的年服务量少者为0~49例,多者大于250例,年总服务量不足600人。低视力工作人员仅有19位。6家医院可提供光学近用助视器,3家医院可提供光学远用助视器,2家医院可提供电子助视器,6家医院均不能提供非视觉助视器,均未开展儿童功能性视力康复训练、日常生活能力和技能康复训练、职业训练、适应及行走训练等康复服务。购买助视器的资金来源有患者自费或非政府机构的资金支持,各种助视器的支付均未纳入医保范围。结论 北京市医疗机构低视力康复服务能力远远不能满足低视力患者的需求,应加强北京市低视力康复服务能力。（眼科, 2015, 24： 348-351）     

A practical guide to low vision management of patients with diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of low vision and blindness in developed countries.^1,2 Optometrists have an important role in the detection of diabetic‐related eye disease. They are also well‐placed to manage patients with reduced vision due to diabetes. In 1998, visual rehabilitation information was analysed from 590 visually impaired patients attending the multidisciplinary Low Vision Clinic at Kooyong in Melbourne, Australia. Diabetes was the primary cause of vision loss in 43 (7.3 per cent) of the patients. This paper investigates the characteristics of these 43 patients and the strategies employed to assist them. In doing so we hope to assist practitioners in managing patients with low vision due to diabetes.     

Effectiveness of low vision services in improving patient quality of life at Aravind Eye Hospital

Context:In India, where the heavy burden of visual impairment exists, low vision services are scarce and under-utilized.Aims:Our study was designed to survey the effectiveness of low vision exams and visual aids in improving patient quality of life in southern rural India.Results:About 44 of 55 low vision patients completed baseline and follow-up LVQOL surveys, and 30 normal vision controls matched for age, gender, and education were also surveyed (average 117.34 points). After the low vision clinic visit, the low vision group demonstrated a 4.55-point improvement in quality of life (from 77.77 to 82.33 points, P = 0.001). Adjusting for age, gender, and education, the low vision patients who also received LVAs (n = 24) experienced an even larger increase than those who did not (n = 20) (8.89 points, P < 0.001).Conclusion:Low vision services and visual aids can improve the quality of life in South Indian rural population regardless of age, gender, and education level. Thus, all low vision patients who meet the criteria should be referred for evaluation.     

Near‐vision impairment and unresolved vision problems in Indigenous Australian adults

Background: To describe near‐vision impairment, self‐reported unresolved vision problems and barriers to having near‐vision correction in Indigenous Australians. Design: A nationwide population‐based study designed to determine the causes and prevalence of vision loss and utilization of eye care services. Participants: Indigenous Australians aged ≥40 years. Methods: Using a multistage random cluster sampling methodology, 30 geographical areas stratified by remoteness were selected to obtain a representation of Indigenous Australians. Visual acuity was conducted using a standard E chart. A questionnaire collected data on eye health, eye care service utilization and vision‐related quality of life. Main Outcome Measures: Near‐vision impairment defined as presenting binocular near visual acuity <N8. Self‐reported unresolved vision problems defined as anything considered an eye/vision problem by the participant, including distance and/or near‐vision impairments, not resolved after seeking care and quality‐of‐life scores. Results: Being aged 50–59 years (reference group 40–49 years), speaking a language other than English at home and vision loss (distance vision impairment and blindness) increased the odds of near‐vision impairment. Of those with near‐vision impairment, 37% (175/468) reported not having near‐vision correction. Being aged 60–69 years, speaking a language other than English at home and having vision loss decreased the odds of having near‐vision correction. Longer time since last consultation was associated with unresolved vision problems and worse quality‐of‐life scores. Conclusion: There remains a large unmet need in regard to near‐vision correction. Many Indigenous adults have unresolved vision problems that could be resolved with regular consultations with eye care services.     

Critical issues in implementing low vision care in the Asia-Pacific region

Two-thirds of the world's population with low vision resides in the Asia-Pacific region. Provision of comprehensive low vision services is important to improve vision-related quality of life (QoL) for people with this condition. This review outlines the critical issues and challenges facing the provision of low vision services in the Asia-Pacific region. The review offers possible strategies to tackle these issues and challenges facing service providers and policy makers in lieu of Vision 2020 strategies in this area. Pertinent findings from the global survey of low vision services and extensive ground work conducted in the region are used; in addition, a discussion on the availability of services, human resources and training, and funding and the future sustainability of low vision care will be covered. In summary, current issues and challenges facing the region are the lack of specific evidence-based data, access, appropriate equipment and facilities, human resources, funding, and sustainability. These issues are inextricably interlinked and thus cannot be addressed in isolation. The solutions proposed cover all areas of the VISION 2020 strategy that include service delivery, human resources, infrastructure and equipment, advocacy and partnership; and include provision of comprehensive care via vertical and horizontal integration; strengthening primary level care in the community; providing formal and informal training to enable task shifting and capacity building; and promoting strong government and private sector partnership to achieve long-term service financial sustainability.     

复明工程白内障患者的视功能及生存质量调查

目的评价复明工程中白内障患者术后视功能(vision function,VF)及生存质量(quality of life,QOL)的改善状况。方法采用VF-QOL问卷对我院2009年10月至2010年3月行免费白内障手术的患者进行VF及QOL评估。采用标准对数视力表对视力进行分级,将所有患者分为视力损伤组、单眼盲组、中度盲组和严重盲组;根据年龄分为60岁及以下组、61～70岁组、71～80岁组和81岁及以上组。结果在接受完整调查的204例患者中,术后1个月、6个月VF为80.73±14.68、81.41±13.85,均较术前44.86±23.38显著提高(均为P<0.01)。术后1个月、6个月QOL为90.27±13.68、90.09±13.66,均较术前66.50±23.13显著提高(均为P<0.01);术后1个月VF及QOL与6个月相比差异均无统计学意义(均为P>0.05)。术后1个月,严重盲组VF的提高值为51.52±21.20,较单眼盲组31.73±21.77明显增加(P<0.05);严重盲组、中度盲组QOL的提高值为35.07±26.35、43.69±20.39,较视力损伤组19.38±17.25明显增加(均为P<0.05)。术后1个月,81岁以上组VF提高值与其他各组比较差异有统计学意义,QOL提高值与60岁以下组有显著差异(均为P<0.05)。结论复明工程术后患者的VF及QOL显著提高且效果稳定,但视力组间及年龄组间的VF及QOL提高程度不同。问卷调查不仅可以让医师全面了解患者的生存状态,而且可以根据分析结果对重点人群进行特殊护理。     

Low vision rehabilitation services in Michigan viewed against the national backdrop

The diagnosis and treatment (including low vision rehabilitation) of permanent vision impairment due to ocular disease and trauma are gaining increased emphasis around the world. In the United States, this emphasis is due to both changing demographics and emerging policies issued by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In this de facto report, we trace the evolution of low vision rehabilitation service in Michigan, highlighting the role of public appropriations initiated in the mid 1960s and continuing today. An array of state, private, nonprofit, and clinical services for vision rehabilitation in Michigan are described in the context of the historical roots, current roles, and future trends related to emerging policies and systems of care.     

Access to low‐vision rehabilitation services: barriers and enablers

Background: The current mismatch between the need for and uptake of low‐vision services has been attributed to various barriers including different service delivery models and referral pathways. This study evaluates the referral pathway and low‐vision service provision of the Royal Society for the Blind (RSB) in South Australia. Methods: All new referrals from the 2008–2009 financial year to the RSB were reviewed. Initially, patients were contacted by a triage officer within one week of referral. Initial appointments were made in the Low Vision Clinic with a multidisciplinary team. Reasons for declining the appointment or non‐attendance were tracked via telephone. Results: There were 1116 patients referred over a 12‐month period and 1082 (97 per cent) were reviewed in the Low Vision Clinic. Most attendees (92 per cent) lived within 50 kilometres of the clinic. There were 34 referred patients, who declined or did not attend the assessment. All non‐attendees also lived within 50 kilometres of the Low Vision Centre. Concurrent major health problems (27 per cent) and patients not feeling the need for low‐vision rehabilitation (27 per cent) were the most common reasons for not accessing the service. Only 125 patients (11.6 per cent) accessed volunteer transport services and only 24 patients (2.2 per cent) needed an interpreter service. Conclusion: The attendance rate is significantly higher than in other published studies. The distance to travel or transport difficulties were not significant barriers. Patient perception that either the service was not required or would not help them was the main barrier. The referral and triage process appeared to be a major enabler of low‐vision service uptake.