Challenges Facing Undergraduate Students with Visual Impairment during COVID-19 Outbreak at Taibah University

IntroductionVisual impairment has a profound impact on loss of economy and productivity, which can impair health-related quality of life.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine productivity loss and its predictive factors among adults with visual impairment in Addis Ababa tertiary eye care centers, Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted between February and July 30, 2021. A total of 425 samples were retrieved using systematic random sampling. Data collection included socio-demographic information, employment status, job absenteeism, presenteeism and reduced work participation. Analysis was done by SPSS version 23, and binary logistic regression was employed for statistical analysis. P-values less than 0.05 were used to state significant associations between dependent and outcome variables.ResultsA total of 416 study participants were involved in the study, with a response rate of 97.88%. The mean age was 48±14.3 years. The total productivity loss was $775,325.51, with a median of $358.02. Maximum productivity loss was contributed by reduced workforce participation, which was about $746,337.45, with a median of $1,432.10. Regarding predictor factors, gender, monthly income, degree and duration of visual impairment and support of family to get job were statistically associated with high productivity loss.ConclusionIn general, the current study revealed that there is a profound annual loss of productivity due to visual impairment. The predictor factors for higher productivity loss were gender, monthly income, degree of visual impairment, duration of visual impairment and presence of support from family to get job or achieve better performance on job activities. Rehabilitation for visually impaired adults is recommended to enhance their quality of life by increasing their workplace participation to the maximum potential.

To collect data on refractive errors and visual impairment in adults with an intellectual disability (ID) in the Netherlands. A randomized sample of 2100 participants was drawn from a base population of 9000 adults with intellectual disabilities in the Netherlands. This article reports on the first 900 participants. All participants underwent a protocol-based on-site ophthalmological assessment carried out by skilled investigators. Co-operation was classified according to the number of tests that could be carried out reliably and was good or excellent in 80% of subjects, average in 13% and poor in 7%. Refraction could be reliably assessed in 505/900 (56%) subjects. There was an increased risk of visual impairment in all subgroups compared to the general Dutch population. Visual acuity (VA) was related to the level of ID, but refractive errors were not. New spectacles were prescribed in 106 cases (12%). Of 374 people in whom both monocular VA and the refractive error of the right eye could be reliably assessed, 153 (41%) had a pretest prescription, 16 (10%) of which we found to be inadequate. Of the 221 participants without a pretest prescription, 41 (19%) benefited from correction. Only 38/84 (45%) subjects aged 50 years or older, who could benefit from correction for near vision, had near spectacles. New correction increased the mean distant VA significantly from 0.44 to 0.65 (p < 0.0005). With some adaptations, visual screening is feasible in a majority of adults with ID. Visual impairment and refractive errors are much more prevalent in adults with ID than in the normal population. Accurate spectacle correction resulted in significant improvement in distant VA.

Mobile phones have been regarded as an enabler that reduces barriers in a disabling environment. Therefore, disability research has focused on the social inclusion consequences of this technology. Adopting the uses and gratifications approach, this study examines the correlation between access to mobile phones and the social participation and social relationships of people with visual impairment. This study conducts a survey and demonstrates that mobile phones facilitate the social inclusion of people with visual impairment, while creating a social inclusion gap between people with different degrees of visual impairment and socioeconomic status. Partially sighted people have more possibilities to explore the physical world, while blind people with lower socioeconomic status are restricted to the digital space. Therefore, technology could create a new form of digital exclusion and widen the social inclusion gap among people with visual impairment. Points of interest Mobile phones have been regarded as an enabler that reduces barriers in a disabling environment. This study found that mobile phones can provide opportunities for people with visual impairment, while posing potential risks. The use of and gratification associated with mobile phones affect the social inclusion outcomes of people with visual impairment. However, they may also create social inclusion gaps between people with different degrees of visual impairment and socioeconomic status. Partially sighted people have more possibilities to explore the physical world, while blind people with lower socioeconomic status may be restricted to the digital space created by technology. Technology carries some risks of creating a new form of digital exclusion and widening the social inclusion gap among people with visual impairment.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitreoretinal interface abnormalities (VRIA), the degree of visual impairment and associations with VRIA among adults, aged 40–69 years, in...

Objective To understand the development of psychosocial adaptation and life quality of patients with visual impairment, as well as their relationship. Methods Researches about impact of psychosocial adaptation on life quality of patients with visual impairment underwent document retrieval and the results went through analysis. Results Cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration caused different degree of visual impairment, furthermore influence physical, psychosocial adaptation and life quality of these patients. Some scales were compiled by some scholars at home and abroad to evaluate the influence degree of these factors, but tools to test psychosocial adaptation lacked. Conclusions Researches on quality of life for a single eye impairment are more than those on the relationship between psychosocial adaptation and quality of life. At the same time, it is necessary to develop a tool to measure psychosocial adaptation of visual function impairment. Key words: Visual function impairment; Eye disease; Psychosocial adaptation; Quality of life

Visual impairment, but not hearing impairment, is independently associated with lower subjective well-being among individuals over 95 years of age: A population-based study

Purpose: In this study, we aimed at correlating the curve of visual impairment against pituitary macroadenoma size.&#x0D; Method: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the visual correlation between the volume and dimensions of pituitary adenoma and the degree of visual impairment on patients’ examination. 35 patients with no history of eye or refraction disorder were included in the study. Spearman correlation test was used to validate the correlation.&#x0D; Results: 57 % of pituitary macroadenoma patients suffer from visual impairment, even if not the primary presentation. Macroadenomas greater than 5 cm³ in volume and/or 2 cm height are more likely to cause various degrees of visual impairment, this correlation is not linear beyond these values.&#x0D; Conclusion: Visual impairment due to pituitary adenomas is more frequent than the presentation, the threshold volume is 5 cm³ and height is 2 cm, bigger adenomas behaviour is more multifactorial than the only size.

Patients have always been the main stakeholders in the modern world of medicine. Objective: To assess the level of satisfaction of people with low vision with the provision of low vision services at Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar. Moreover, to compare the satisfaction level of people with low vision concerning the degree of vision impairment. Methods: An interviewer-administered, questionnaire (PSQ-18), was used to collect data from 125 low-vision patients at a low-vision clinic. The survey used Likert's five-point rating scale to measure satisfaction with LV services. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: The results of the study demonstrated that the vast majority of study participants (n = 62, 50%) were delighted with the low vision care they received, followed by thirty-eight (30.4%) participants who remained satisfied, whereas twelve (9.6%) patients were dissatisfied. Male participants were more likely to be satisfied (94%) than female participants (63%). Amongst the total study participants, the proportion of participants with moderate vision impairment was approximately doubled as compared to those with severe vision impairment. Conclusions: The study found that moderate vision impairment participants were more satisfied than those with severe impairment, indicating an inverse relationship between satisfaction and the degree of vision impairment. 99% of participants were satisfied with the technical quality of the services provided.

В статье рассматриваются основные признаки, факторы и показатели утомления, которые должны учитываться при организации и проведении занятий по физической культуре со студентами специального учебного отделения. Поскольку студентам этого отделения характерны различные нарушения развития, что значительно затрудняет их двигательные возможности, освоение учебного материала программы физической культуры. Поэтому при планировании нагрузки на занятиях по физической культуре должны учитывать пол студентов специального учебного отделения, форму, характер и степень нарушения развития, наличие сопутствующих заболеваний, физическую подготовлен­ность и многие другие факторы. В связи с чем изыскание эффективных путей организации и проведения занятий по физической культуре со студентами специального учебного отделения, построение соответствующей физической нагрузки всегда находилось в центре внимания специалистов. В специальной научно-методической литературе по проблемам физического воспитания студентов подчеркивается важность изучения вопросов применения защитных средств и мобилизации резервных ресурсов при построении занятий по физическому воспитанию студентов специального учебного отделения. Дозированная нагрузка на учебных занятиях по физической культуре и дифференцированный подход предусматривают некоторые ограничения: резкие наклоны, прыжки, упражнения с отягощением, дли­тельные статические упражнения, дли­тельные мышечные напряжения и пр. По этому преподавателю физическое воспитание студентов специального учебного отделения рекомендуется пользоваться следующими внешними признаками и степенью утомления этих студентов: Цвет кожи (небольшое покраснение, значительное покраснение; резкое значительное покраснение), дыхание (учащенное; неровное учащенное дыхание; периодически насту­пающее через рот; непрерывное дыхание через рот; глубокие вдохи, отдышка), движения (покачивание тела; некоординированные движение), внимание (неточности в выполнении команда), самочувствие нет никаких жалоб; жалобы на усталость, боль в ногах, сердцебиение, отдышку; жалобы на головную боль, тошнота и рвота).

This article reveals the basic factors, signs and indicators of tiredness to be obligatory considered in the process of organizing and conducting physical activities with students with different types of visual impairment. As the different forms and degrees of visual impairment, psychophysical peculiarities of development, lack of development of motor skills and orientations in space of those students determine the importance and necessity of using protective means and mobilizing stand-by resources at gym classes. It has been established, that the deep and partial visual impairment significantly impede the motor possibilities of students, their orientation in macro and micro-spaces, understanding the teaching material of physical education program and participating in the physical and sport activities. Therefore, in order to prevent injuries and further visual impairments in students during physical activities in school, university and gyms, we have to take into account the gender, form and degree of visual impairment, the availability of concomitant diseases, secondary developmental deviations, the level of physical preparedness of students and many other factors. This will serve as the basis for health strengthening in students with different types of visual impairment. The abovementioned points define the relevant, theoretical and practical significance of the present research theme․

Objective:Periodontal disease is a set of inflammatory infections that affect the supporting structures of the dentition. Patients with visual impairment (VI) may have more difficulty in cleaning and maintaining oral health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between periodontal status and degree of VI in institutionalized individuals.Materials and Methods:Fifty-two visually impaired individuals were included in this cross-sectional study. The periodontal parameters assessed were clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), and visible plaque index. The degree of VI was established as: Group 1 (mild or moderate VI), Group 2 (severe or profound VI), and Group 3 (completely blind); and the types of VI were considered as congenital and acquired. Fisher's exact, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney, and Spearman correlation coefficient test were used. The level of significance was set at 5%.Result:Only plaque index was higher on proximal surfaces of subjects with mild/moderate VI when compared to the other degrees of VI (P = 0.01). Furthermore, we observed higher values for interproximal CAL (P = 0.01), total PD (P = 0.04), and interproximal PD in subjects with acquired VI when compared to subjects with congenital VI (P = 0.01).Conclusions:These findings suggest that periodontal status may be more related to the type of disability than with the degree of VI. Acquired VI people presented a worse periodontal health than the group with congenital VI.

According to United Nations statistics, about 1/30th of the world's population is visually impaired with different types, levels, and degrees of visual impairment. It is not difficult to realize that visually impaired people (VIP) face different kinds of difficulties and limitations in their daily lives, in particular when they need to interact with public environments and facilities with which they may not be familiar.In recent years, policymakers and researchers in different disciplines such as sociology, architecture, design, and engineering, have conducted more discussions and made increasing efforts to improve this situation. Among the various projects with different perspectives, directions, objectives, and targeted beneficiaries, the key approach is generally to apply technologies to provide convenience, or overcome existing “barriers” to use, for VIP. However, as many of the studies in Europe and America have shown, it remains clear that the situation is still unsatisfactory that complaints by VIP have frequently heard. Mass media also frequently report on accidents or unsatisfactory and unfair environments for VIP. This is not due to the "almighty" nature of the technologies or inventions, but to the fact that these technologies cannot fit the wants and needs of VIP (i.e., actual users) and functions as they were originally planned and intended.

The purpose of this study was to compare the social skills of students with visual impairments with social skills of typically developing students. The study groups consisted of 64 students with visual impairments and 68 typically developing students from the first to fourth grade. The Social Skills Rating System (SSRS) Teacher Form was used to evaluate the social skills of both groups. The results of the study indicated that cooperation, assertiveness, and self-control sub-scale scores and overall social skills scores of the students with visual impairments were statistically lower than the typically developing peers. The results of the study also indicated that age, gender and degree of visual impairments (having low vision or severe visual impairments) had no effect on the social skills of students with visual impairments. Findings of this study were discussed and suggestions for further research and practice were provided. Keywords : Social skills, social skills deficits, visual impairments, low vision, severe visual impairments.

Background: Visual impairment is linked to a broad spectrum of health conditions. Nevertheless, there is an absence of large cohort studies investigating cancer risk in the visually impaired compared to seeing controls. The aim of this study was to investigate whether visually impaired adults have an increased risk for various types of cancer, compared to seeing controls. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study comparing visually impaired adults aged 40 and over and 1:5 matched controls (by sex, birth year, and county of residence), between 2002 and 2018. Data were extracted from the Swedish National patient Registry, Statistics Sweden and from the Swedish Cause of Death Registry. A total of 48,493 adult Swedish men (44%) and women (56%), with a median age of 77 years (IQR: 64-86), with various degrees of visual impairment, from mild to total blindness, and 242,465 matched controls were followed up for a median of 5.1 (IQR 2.9-8.6) and 6.0 (IQR 3.6-9.8) years, respectively. The main outcomes included overall cancer incidence and incidence of different types of cancer. Results: Data analysis showed that visually impaired adults had an 18% significantly increased risk of any cancer (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.16-1.20) when compared to seeing controls. The risk was also significantly increased for most cancers, with HRs ranging from 2.59 (95% CI 2.21-3.03) for brain cancer to 1.19 (95% CI 1.11-1.27) for breast cancer. No interaction was observed between cancer of any type and sex (p = 0.47). An elevated risk for all cancers in the visually impaired was observed across all age-groups: HR of 1.37 (95% CI 1.30-1.43) for ages 40-64, HR 1.17 (95% CI 1.13-1.20) for ages 65-79, and HR 1.11 (95% CI 1.08-1.15) for ages over 80. The risk of death was 60% higher among the cases compared to controls (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.58-1.63). Conclusions: In this retrospective study of older adults, visual impairment was associated with increased cancer risk both overall and for specific types of cancer, in both sexes and across different age divisions of the cohort. These findings indicate the need for adjustments in health care polices in order to ensure equity in medical services.

The purpose of this study was to compare the problem behaviours of students with visual impairments with typically developing students. The study groups consisted of 64 students with visual impairments and 68 typically developing students ranged from the first to fourth grade. The Social Skills Rating Scale Teacher Form was used to evaluate the problem behaviours of the groups. The results of the study indicated that problem behaviours of students with visual impairments were higher than typically developing peers’ problem behaviours. The results of the study also indicated that age, gender and the degree of visual impairments (having low vision or severe visual impairments) had no effect on the problem behaviours of students with visual impairments. Findings of this study were discussed and suggestions for future research and practice were provided. Keywords : Problem behaviours, visual impairments, low vision, severe visual impairments.