Rehabilitation needs and activity limitations of adults with a visual impairment entering a low vision rehabilitation service in England

Low vision may affect a person's learning, daily functioning, and psychosocial status. Intervention in the form of vision rehabilitation has enabled many people to successfully meet and overcome the challenges posed by low vision. Part one of this two-part feature presented a four-phase, interdisciplinary model of low vision services that can be applied to any setting. This paper (part two) focuses on methods of assessing low vision, providing clinical services, and establishing an adaptive training and instructional program. The collaborative relationship between the patient/client, low vision physician (optometrist or ophthalmologist), and allied health professional (specifically, the occupational therapist) is described.

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Low vision rehabilitation services: Perceived barriers and facilitators to access for older adults with visual impairment

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0308022618821591 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 82 (8) ◽

pp. 466-474 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jennifer Kaldenberg

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Low Vision ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Rehabilitation Services ◽

Coordinated Care ◽

Low Vision Rehabilitation ◽

Vision Rehabilitation

Introduction The aim of this study is to describe the barriers and facilitators to accessing low vision rehabilitation services in Massachusetts, USA, and determine differences between communities with and without existing low vision rehabilitation services for older adults with visual impairment. Method A sample of older adults with visual impairment ( n = 64) from both communities participated in the study. Barriers and facilitators to accessing the services were explored through focus groups and prioritized during one-on-one interviews, which allowed for comparison between communities. Results Twelve themes were identified: (a) bureaucracy and funding (public policy); (b) public awareness and stigma (community); (c) services available, knowledge of providers, care coordination, transportation (organizational); (d) people and lack of awareness of family/friends (interpersonal); and (e) income, health status, knowledge, self-advocacy, and time (individual). Conclusion This study provides insights into the perceived barriers and facilitators of accessing low vision rehabilitation services for older adults with vision impairment living in Massachusetts, USA. Key findings indicate the need for improved awareness of these services at the provider and consumer level, coordinated care, increased education on the efficacy of occupational therapy low vision rehabilitation services, client-centered care provided when the client is ready to accept services, and service provision that addresses sociodemographic factors.

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Causes of vision impairment and assessment of need for low vision services for students of blind schools in Nepal

Kathmandu University Medical Journal ◽

10.3126/kumj.v7i1.1764 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 44-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

I Kansakar ◽

HB Thapa ◽

KC Salma ◽

S Ganguly ◽

RP Kandel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Impairment ◽

Visually Impaired ◽

Low Vision ◽

Vision Impairment ◽

Rehabilitation Services ◽

Childhood Blindness ◽

Vision Assessment ◽

Low Vision Rehabilitation ◽

Vision Rehabilitation ◽

One Year

Background: The present study is first of its kind to evaluate causes of visual impairment of blind students in Nepal and assess their need for low vision rehabilitation services. Aim: To evaluate causes of vision impairment of students enrolled in blind schools in Nepal and assess the need for low vision rehabilitation services in these students. Materials and methods: A survey was conducted in 12 blind schools in Nepal, which were registered with Nepal Association for Welfare of Blindness (NAWB).It was conducted by a team of an ophthalmologist and an optometrist, by using standard eye examination protocols of the World Health Organization Prevention of Blindness Program (WHO/ PBL). Results: Of the 345 students enrolled in 12 schools, 285 students were examined (response rate of 82.61%). The students were in the 5 - 29 years age group. Nearly three-fourth of the children had become blind within one year of age and 52.3% visually impaired at birth and 20.7% developed vision impairment within one year of age. After refraction, 26 students (9.12%) had mild visual impairment, 21 students (7.37%) had severe visual impairment and 238 students (83.51%) were blind. The main cause of vision impairment was found to be corneal 35.79% and retina diseases, mainly dystrophy, 20.35% followed by problems with the whole globe, lens and optic nerve, accounting for 13.33%, 12.63% and 12.98% respectively. The major etiological factors were those of childhood such as Vitamin A deficiency, measles and similar causes (42.11%) followed by hereditary causes (25.26%). Of the total students examined, 48.07% were visually impaired due to preventable causes and 16.14% treatable aggregating to 64.21% of avoidable blindness. Fifty seven (28.22%) students could read smaller than 2 M print size after low vision assessment for near and 33(15.78%) students benefited with telescopic trial for distance low vision. Conclusion: In Nepal, renewed focus on providing best possible quality of life for visually impaired children by proper low vision assessment and eye health education focusing on, general public and community health workers, with governmental and institutional support is required to achieve Vision 2020 objectives to decrease childhood blindness. Key words: childhood blindness, Nepal, blind school study, low vision, vision impairment doi: 10.3126/kumj.v7i1.1764 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2009), Vol. 7, No. 1, Issue 25, 44-49

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Stakeholder-Driven Model of Low-Vision Rehabilitation Service Delivery

American Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.5014/ajot.2019.73s1-po2015 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 73 (4_Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 7311505099p1

Author(s):

Jennifer Kaldenberg

Keyword(s):

Service Delivery ◽

Low Vision ◽

Rehabilitation Service ◽

Low Vision Rehabilitation ◽

Vision Rehabilitation

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Evaluation and Management of the Diabetic Patient with Visual Impairment: Low Vision Rehabilitation

Optometry and Vision Science ◽

10.1097/00006324-200212001-00367 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 79 (Supplement) ◽

pp. 191

Author(s):

&NA;

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Patient ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Low Vision ◽

Low Vision Rehabilitation ◽

Vision Rehabilitation

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Depression screening in low vision rehabilitation services in Australia: exploring barriers and solutions to implementation using a theoretical framework

European Journal for Person Centered Healthcare ◽

10.5750/ejpch.v2i3.746 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 367

Author(s):

Gwyneth Rees ◽

Edith E Holloway

Keyword(s):

Behaviour Change ◽

Low Vision ◽

Theoretical Framework ◽

Depression Screening ◽

Rehabilitation Service ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Care Services ◽

Primary Care Services ◽

Low Vision Rehabilitation ◽

Vision Rehabilitation

Rationale: Depression is commonly co-morbid with vision impairment yet often remains undetected and therefore untreated. This study aimed to use a theoretical framework of behaviour change to identify issues surrounding the implementation of depression screening in a low vision rehabilitation service in Australia. Evidence-based strategies to address barriers are highlighted.Method: Twenty-two low vision rehabilitation staff, who had undergone training in using a depression screening tool, took part in semi-structured interviews covering 11 theoretical domains of behaviour change. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed. Two researchers independently coded the transcripts from each interview and assigned a score to determine whether the transcript showed evidence of poor, partial, or good implementation within each domain.Results: Major barriers to depression screening included lack of time, face-to-face contact with clients and private workspace. Limited referral options and concerns about the efficacy of referrals to primary care services were highlighted. Negative emotions anticipated during depression screening (e.g., feeling awkward, uncomfortable or nervous) and concerns that depression screening would have a detrimental impact on the client and client relationship were also barriers to depression screening in practice.Conclusions: Enhancing knowledge and skill around depression screening is not sufficient to create change. Practical-based training needs to be combined with the development of strong referral pathways to ensure implementation success.

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Association between Rehabilitation Needs and Quality of Life of the Elderly Patients with Visual Impairment

Elderly Health Journal ◽

10.18502/ehj.v5i1.1195 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Fatemeh Mohammadi ◽

Zohreh Tavasoli Tazkere ◽

Hamid Merat ◽

Jamileh Amirzadeh Iranagh ◽

Seyedeh Ameneh Motalebi

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Low Vision ◽

Effective Means ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vision Rehabilitation ◽

Rehabilitation Needs

Introduction: Given to the high prevalence of impaired vision in aging population and importance of their quality of life, this study was aimed to evaluate the association between quality of life and vision rehabilitation needs in elderly patients with low vision referring to Bu Ali Sina Hospital, Qazvin, Iran. Methods: A total of 94 elderly patients with visual acuity less than 6/18 participated in this cross-sectional study. Visual functioning questionnaire -25 and vision rehabilitation needs questionnaire were used to assess the quality of life and rehabilitation needs, respectively. Data were analyzed using Pearson and Spearman correlations, Independent t, and ANOVA tests. Results: The prevalence of rehabilitation needs ranged from 29.8% (telling time with a watch or clock) to 76.4% (reading). The results also showed significant associations between the quality of life, age, marital status, and total rehabilitation needs (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results highlight that addressing the rehabilitation needs of elderly patients with a visual impairment may be an effective means to improve their quality of life.

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Occupational performance in the basic and instrumental daily activities of persons with low vision who received rehabilitation services

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0308022618808734 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 82 (8) ◽

pp. 457-465 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Josée Duquette ◽

Jocelyn Loiselle ◽

Claire Fréchette ◽

Lise Déry ◽

Marie-Josée Senécal

Keyword(s):

Visual Impairment ◽

Low Vision ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Rehabilitation Services ◽

Occupational Performance ◽

Low Vision Rehabilitation ◽

Importance Ratings ◽

Vision Rehabilitation ◽

The Impact

Introduction The objective was to describe the occupational performance in basic and instrumental daily activities of persons living in the community who have received comprehensive interdisciplinary low vision rehabilitation services. Method The Mesure de l'impact de la déficience visuelle dans les activités quotidiennes (a measure of the impact of visual impairment in daily activities) was administered at home to 102 individuals who participated in a comprehensive low vision rehabilitation program. Performance in 16 near-vision activities was measured with the person's aids and strategies; nine more global tasks were questionnaire-based. Handicap scores were obtained by multiplying performance × importance ratings. Results Average performance was satisfactory or very satisfactory for 21/25 items, even if 92% of the participants had a moderate or severe visual impairment. A severe or total handicap was present in at least one activity for 79% of the subjects. The most handicapping activities required visual searches of finely printed information on a complex or visually crowded document, or shopping and mobility. Conclusion People with low vision who took part in a comprehensive rehabilitation program generally face no or slight handicap situations in their basic and instrumental daily activities. However, major handicap situations may remain in some important activities.

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