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Gkioka M, Almpanidou S, Lioti N, Almaliotis D, Karampatakis V. Daily Functionality of People with Low Vision: The Impact of Visual Acuity, Depression, and Life Orientation-A Cross-Sectional Study. Behav Neurol 2024; 2024:4366572. [PMID: 38440066 PMCID: PMC10911879 DOI: 10.1155/2024/4366572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Low vision (LV) has a significant negative impact on the activities of daily life as well as on the psychological health of patients. Objectives The objective of this study is to investigate psychological, clinical, and demographic factors that may impact the daily functionality of patients with LV. Methods A convenience sample of 53 patients, meeting the WHO criteria for LV, was recruited. Questionnaires on daily functionality, depression, and life orientation (in terms of optimism/pessimism) were administered along with a semistructured personal interview. Key Findings. The main results revealed a significant negative correlation between daily functionality and depression (r = -0.423, p < 0.001). Conversely, there is a positive correlation between daily functionality and visual acuity (r = 0.415, p < 0.001), while years since diagnosis were negatively correlated with depression (r = -0.345, p < 0.001). Depression seems to be a moderate predictor of a person's daily functionality (β = -0.389, p < 0.002), followed by visual acuity (β = -0.344, p = 0.006), explaining the 31.1% of the total variance. Conclusions The study supports a correlation between daily functionality and both depression and visual acuity. Optimism as a personality characteristic did not factor into the prediction model for daily functionality, but it showed a strong correlation with lower levels of depressive symptoms. This highlights the potential for developing coping strategies for chronic disease management. Recommendations. The study could serve as a useful guide and may urge clinicians to pay attention to the psychological evaluation of these patients, supporting their unique emotional needs. Mental health professionals can use patients' positive resources to provide appropriate counseling and embrace the coping skills that encourage their engagement in activities of daily life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Gkioka
- Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stavroula Almpanidou
- Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Niki Lioti
- Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Diamantis Almaliotis
- Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasileios Karampatakis
- Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Ekemiri KK, Botchway EN, Ezinne NE, Sirju N, Persad T, Masemola HC, Chidarikire S, Ekemiri CC, Osuagwu UL. Comparative Analysis of Health- and Vision-Related Quality of Life Measures among Trinidadians with Low Vision and Normal Vision-A Cross-Sectional Matched Sample Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6436. [PMID: 37510668 PMCID: PMC10378830 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study investigated the health-related and vision-related quality of life measures of adults with low vision compared to healthy individuals in Trinidad and Tobago. The health-related quality of life (HRQOL-14) and the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) were administered to 20 participants with low vision caused by diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, as well as 20 participants with no visual problems (control). Participants were recruited from the University Eye Clinic in Trinidad and Tobago. Compared to the controls, more participants in the low-vision group had lower age-adjusted NEI-VFQ-25 scores (48.3% vs. 95.1%; p < 0.001), had poor general (47.5% vs. 10%, p = 0.004) and mental (100% vs. 10%, p < 0.042) health, experienced greater activity limitation due to impairment or health problems (85% vs. 20%, p < 0.001), needed help with personal care (27.5% vs. 0%, p < 0.009) and daily routine (67.5% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), and experienced sleep problems (97.5% vs. 65%, p < 0.001) and symptoms of anxiety (100% vs. 90%, p = 0.042). All the diabetic retinopathy participants (100%, p = 0.028) had two or more impairments or vision problems compared to none in the other low-vision participants. In summary, the HRQOL-14 and NEI-VFQ-25 scores were significantly reduced in low-vision participants, who also demonstrated a greater vulnerability to poor quality of life in the presence of diabetes retinopathy. These findings have important clinical implications regarding offering appropriate support and interventions to improve quality of life outcomes in individuals with low vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kingsley K Ekemiri
- Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 685509, Trinidad and Tobago
- Department of Optometry, College of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa
| | - Edith N Botchway
- Brain and Mind Group, Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ngozika E Ezinne
- Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 685509, Trinidad and Tobago
- Department of Optometry, College of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa
| | - Nikolai Sirju
- Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 685509, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Tea Persad
- Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 685509, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Hlabje Carel Masemola
- Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
| | - Sherphard Chidarikire
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Chioma C Ekemiri
- Department of Health Promotion, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 685509, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu
- Department of Optometry, College of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa
- Bathurst Rural Clinical School, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia
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Boey D, Fitzmaurice K, Tse T, Chan ML, Carey LM. Classifying Types of Visual Loss Linked With Function to Inform Referral to Vision Rehabilitation for Older Adults in Singapore. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2022; 8:23337214221130652. [PMID: 36275409 PMCID: PMC9580095 DOI: 10.1177/23337214221130652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Visual impairment restricts performance in activities of daily living. The aim of this study was to classify types of visual loss associated with function in older adults based on clinical data and World Health Organization (WHO) acuity and visual field criteria. Methods: Seven hundred retrospective medical records of older adults seen at the outpatient ophthalmology clinics of a Singapore hospital were reviewed. Extracted data was mapped to the WHO low vision criteria. A flow chart was developed to classify the main types of visual loss aligned with function. Results: The flow chart developed describes four major types of visual loss: (1) full visual field with decreased visual acuity, (2) any visual field loss with greater than ten degrees of available field, (3) peripheral field loss with less than 10° of available field, and (4) any visual field loss due to a cortical event. Within each major type, sub-categories were identified reflecting the complexity of the visual impact of the eye conditions. Conclusion: The flow chart can be applied to outpatient records to identify older adults with different types of visual loss to inform targeted rehabilitation linked with function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Boey
- Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia,Department of Occupational Therapy, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore,Debbie Boey, Department of Occupational Therapy, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Singapore.
| | - Kerry Fitzmaurice
- Orthoptics, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tamara Tse
- Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Leeanne M. Carey
- Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia,Neurorehabilitation and Recovery, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
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Somani N, Beukes E, Latham K, Andersson G, Allen PM. Designing an internet-based intervention for improving wellbeing in people with acquired vision loss: A Delphi consensus study. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2021; 41:971-984. [PMID: 34392552 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Vision impairment (VI) may impact a person's functional ability resulting in a loss of independence, anxiety, depression, social isolation and reduced quality of life. Caregivers also experience similar problems due to the increased burden placed on them. Support to address these difficulties encountered by those with VI and their caregivers may not always be accessible. An internet-based intervention may provide more accessible support. The aim of this study was to obtain consensus regarding the content and accessibility features required to design an internet-based intervention to promote wellbeing for people with VI and their caregivers. METHOD A three-round Delphi review was conducted with a panel of 30 stakeholders. Three stakeholder groups were included, namely individuals with vision loss, experts in the field of vision loss and mental health and carers of individuals with vision loss. Conceptual wellbeing ideas were examined in round 1, the intervention modules and module content were proposed in round 2 and refined in round 3. RESULTS Consensus of 75% or more was reached to include 18 modules into the intervention. These were divided into seven sections: understanding vision loss, emotional wellbeing, functional wellbeing, social wellbeing, physical wellbeing, wellbeing for carers and maintaining wellbeing. The accessibility features deemed most important were font size, colour and contrast options, compatibility with low vision aids and layout of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS The Delphi process positively informed the design of an internet-based intervention for individuals with acquired VI and their caregivers. Suggestions provided by stakeholders should now be incorporated into the intervention. Future evaluation of efficacy and cost-effectiveness of such an intervention are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurbanu Somani
- Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eldre Beukes
- Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Keziah Latham
- Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gerhard Andersson
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter M Allen
- Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
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