Effects Of Visual Impairment Research Articles

Understanding the pathways linking visual impairment and depression among older Indian adults

BackgroundVisual impairment(VI) is a multifaceted condition that significantly impacts mental health, notably depression. With the population ageing, the incidence of VI is expected to rise, consequently increasing depression rates. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the pathways linking VI and depression among older adults in India. Data & methodsThis study uses data from the Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India (LASI Wave-1) with a sample of individuals aged 45 years and above (n=56,353). Binary logistic regression along with causal mediation analysis was conducted to assess the roles of mediating factors and other socio-demographic factors contributing to depression among older adults in India. ResultsAn association between VI and an increased likelihood of depression was observed after accounting for functional, behavioural, psychosocial mediators and other covariates (OR:1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.19). The overall effect of visual impairment on depression, including both direct and indirect effects shows that visual impairment has a significant total effect on depression, with a coefficient of 1.11 (95 % CI: 1.01–1.10). The natural direct effect is significant, with an OR of 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01–1.10) for functional mediators, while the natural indirect effect through functional mediators suggests that a portion of the relationship between VI and depression is mediated through functional pathways. ConclusionFindings highlight the importance of addressing not only the direct impact of VI on individuals' well-being but also the various indirect effects mediated through functional limitations, behavioural, and psychosocial factors. This necessitates the interventions aimed at enhancing daily functional capacity and health perception among the visually impaired elderly. Findings suggest the need for fostering strong social ties and ensuring a supportive environment for older adults experiencing visual impairments.

Effect of visual impairment on subjective cognitive decline in older adults: a cross-sectional study in China

ObjectivePeople with visual impairment have more functional limitations associated with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), and those with SCD are extremely susceptible to transitioning to irreversible cognitive impairment. This study aimed...

Dual Sensory Impairment and Functional Status in a Prospective Cohort Study.

To examine the impact of visual impairment, hearing impairment, and dual sensory impairment (DSI) on functional status in older adults. Secondary analysis of the Manitoba Health and Aging Study, a population-based cohort study of 1751 adults age 65+. Data were collected from 1991 to 1992 (Time 1), with follow-up five years later (Time 2). Vision and hearing were self-reported. Functional status was measured using the Older Americans Resource and Services (OARS). Logistic regression models were constructed to assess functional status at both Time 1 and Time 2. Dual sensory impairment (DSI) at Time 1 predicted poor functional status at both Time 1 and Time 2. The adjusted odds ratios (OR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) for poor functional status at Time 1 for those with only hearing impairment was 1.74 (1.25, 2.44) for visual impairment was 2.95 (2.19, 3.98), and for DSI was 3.58 (2.58, 4.95). At Time 2, the adjusted ORs for poor functional status for those with only hearing impairment was 1.32 (0.86, 2.03), for visual impairment was 1.63 (1.05, 2.52), and for DSI was 2.61 (1.54, 4.40). DSI is associated with lower functional status, but the effect of visual impairment is more pronounced than hearing impairment.

Gender differences in the association between sensory function and CIND among Chinese elderly: Based on CLHLS

ObjectiveTo explore the gender differences of the association between sensory impairment (SI) and the risk of cognitive decline and possible cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND). MethodData were drawn from three waves of the nationally representative survey of China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) between 2011/12-2018 surveys, involving 6138 participants aged 65 or older who had no CIND at the baseline. Multivariate linear or logistic regression models were employed to examine the effect of SI on cognitive decline and CIND risk by gender stratification, respectively. ResultsHearing impairment and visual impairment were associated with lower MMSE scores, and the strength of the association was stronger in men than in women. Hearing impairment was related to an elevated risk of CIND both in men and women (Men: OR=2.46; 95% CI=1.81, 3.35; Women: OR=1.43; 95% CI=1.09, 1.88). However, the effect of visual impairment on CIND was statistically significant only in men (OR=1.43; 95% CI=1.09, 1.88). The risk of cognitive decline and CIND were significantly higher with single and dual SI than those without SI, except for women with single visual impairment. ConclusionSI is independently associated with cognitive decline and CIND risk, and the association differed by gender. Further researches should clarify the mechanism between SI and cognitive function among older adults, especially for gender differences.

Effect of visual impairment on depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States

ObjectifÉvaluer les associations entre troubles de la vision, anxiété et dépression pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 aux États-Unis. NatureÉtude transversale rétrospective. MéthodesLa présente étude regroupait une cohorte d'Américains d’âge adulte inscrits au programme de recherche All of Us des National Institutes of Health américains. Les codes SNOMED (Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine) ont servi à identifier les sujets présentant une cécité/déficience visuelle (C/DV), qui ont été comparés à une cohorte de sujets témoins. La prévalence de dépression et d'anxiété (initiales, récentes ou aggravées), conformément aux codes SNOMED, de même que la prise de médicaments, ont été comparées entre les 2 groupes. On a eu recours aux questionnaires GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7) et PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire 9) pour mesurer l'anxiété et la dépression, respectivement, pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. RésultatsAinsi, 324 915 participants, (7526 sujets présentant une C/DV et 317 389 témoins) ont été inclus dans notre étude. Chez les sujets qui présentaient une C/DV, la prévalence d'anxiété et de dépression initiales (50,4 % vs 28,7 %; p < 0,001), d'anxiété et de dépression d'apparition récente (0,98 % vs 0,66 %; p < 0,001) et d'aggravation de l'anxiété et de la dépression (0,19 % vs 0,07 %; p < 0,001) pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 était plus élevée que chez les témoins. La présence initiale d'anxiété et de dépression, ainsi que l'aggravation de celles-ci, étaient significativement liées à la C/DV après correction pour l’âge, le sexe, la race, l'origine ethnique et les affections concomitantes des patients (rapport de cotes ajusté [RCa] : 1,61; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % : 1,46-1,78; RCa : 2,07; IC à 95 % : 1,03-4,13). De même, la présence d'une C/DV était associée à une hausse de 2,07 points sur le questionnaire GAD-7 (bêta ajusté : 2,07; IC à 95 % : 1,32-3,27) et de 2,96 points sur le questionnaire PHQ-9 (bêta ajusté : 2,96; IC à 95 % : 1,64-5,36). ConclusionsNos données indiquent qu'une part disproportionnée des sujets présentant une C/DV souffraient d'anxiété et de dépression, tant au début de la pandémie que tout au long de cette dernière, ce qui met en lumière l'importance de promouvoir l'accès à des soins de santé mentale au sein de cette population.

Alteration of Degree Centrality in Adolescents With Early Blindness.

Congenital nystagmus in infants and young children can lead to early blindness (EB). Previous neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that EB is accompanied by alterations in brain structure and function. However, the effects of visual impairment and critical developmental periods on brain functional connectivity at rest have been unclear. Here, we used the voxel-wise degree centrality (DC) method to explore the underlying functional network brain activity in adolescents with EB. Twenty-one patients with EBs and 21 sighted controls (SCs) underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Differences between the two groups were assessed using the DC method. Moreover, the support vector machine (SVM) method was used to differentiate patients with EB patients from the SCs according to DC values. Compared with the SCs, the patients with EB had increased DC values in the bilateral cerebellum_6, cerebellum vermis_4_5, bilateral supplementary motor areas (SMA), and left fusiform gyrus; the patients with EB had decreased DC values in the bilateral rectal gyrus and left medial orbital frontal gyrus. The SVM classification of the DC values achieved an overall accuracy of 70.45% and an area under the curve of 0.86 in distinguishing between the patients with EB and the SCs. Our study may reveal the neuromechanism of neuroplasticity in EB; the findings provide an imaging basis for future development of restorative visual therapies and sensory substitution devices, and future assessments of visual rehabilitation efficacy.

Cognitive decline, sensory impairment, and the use of audio-visual aids by long-term care facility residents

BackgroundHearing and vision impairments and the use of audio-visual aids are associated with cognitive decline in community-dwelling older people, but effects in long-term care facilities (LFCF) are unclear. We hypothesize that visual and hearing impairment are associated with cognitive decline and these relationships are mediated by using visual and hearing aids.MethodsSecondary data analysis of a longitudinal study was conducted in the 7 government-subsidized LTCF operated by one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Hong Kong using data between 2005 and 2016. Eligible residents were ≥ 60 years of age without severe cognitive impairment at baseline who had stayed in the facilities for more than 3 years. All variables were measured by using the Minimum Data Set-Resident Assessment Instrument Version 2.0, Hong Kong version. The outcome was cognitive decline. Predictors were visual and hearing impairments. Mediators were the use of visual and hearing aids. General linear models were employed to test the hypotheses.ResultsResults for 2,233 residents were analyzed, with a mean age of 82.1 ± 8.2 years and a mean follow-up period of 4.4 ± 0.8 years. Results showed that those who had visual impairment (p = 0.004) and hearing impairments (p = 0.022) had a higher risk of cognitive decline. Using hearing aids (coefficient = 0.0186, p < 0.05) positively mediates the effect of hearing impairment on cognitive decline. Using visual aids (coefficient = -0.0881, p < 0.05) negatively mediates the effects of visual impairment on cognitive decline.ConclusionIn LTCF, hearing and visual impairments are associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline. Hearing aids often-users were associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline. LTCF residents with visual impairment did not use visual aids. Use of visual aids demonstrated potential effects in slowing cognitive decline. A future study with a larger and more diverse sample with attention to quality of devices is proposed to confirm its effects.

Effects of Visual Impairment After Acute Stroke on Activities of Daily Living

Effects of Visual Impairment After Acute Stroke on Activities of Daily Living

Effects of Visual Impairment on Sensory Integration and New Opportunities for Inclusive Е-Learning Managing

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the connection between the degree of visual impairment and educational task performance and management in the e-learning environment with an emphasis on writing and visual recognition disorders. The study was conducted in 2019 in Beijing city, Anhui province, Jiangsu province, Guizhou province, Zhejiang province (China) among 125 students of online English courses. The age of participants corresponded to the sixth grade (9.0 ± 2.5 years). The e-learning course included three 10-lessons blocks, after which students underwent individual online training with the integrated application of the Gottschaldt’s, Poppelreuter-Ghent’s, and Raven’s tests. The level of visual impairment inversely depends on the tasks’ accomplishment – the more severe the vision loss, the worse the learning outcomes. Pearson’s correlation coefficients between the educational performance and mild visual impairment were 0.79 (Gottschaldt’s Hidden Figure test), 0.81 (Raven’s Progressive Matrices test), and 0.83 (Poppelreuter-Ghent’s Overlapping Figures test).

Effects of visual impairment on sensory integration and new opportunitiesfor inclusive education

Objective: Inclusive education aims to offer comprehensive collaborative education to healthy and disabled children. The purpose of the study is to perform a comparative analysis of the learning results in healthy and disabled children from different groups with those who study remotely, and a similar analysis between students of higher education institutions.&#x0D; Methods: The study was conducted in 2018–19 in Moscow, Russia, involving 150 students with disabilities and 397 healthy students. Consideration was given to academic performance, psychophysical development and speech development.&#x0D; Results and Discussion: Among students with healthcare nosologies, students with vision impairments are considered the most promising. The number of underachievers is 4.9 times lower than their peers (p 0.001).The greatest success in e-learning was among students with health nosologies relative to a similar group of children.&#x0D; Conclusions: The number of outstanding students in the group with visual impairments exceeds those in the control group by 1.5 times (p≤0.05). Of the students with health nosologies, the most promising group is visually impaired students. High academic performance of students with visual impairments and disordered motor activity provides them with the opportunity to practice comprehensive education at universities, including inclusive education, which corresponds to current worldwide trends.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.20(4) 2021 p.801-808

Effects of visual impairment on mobility functions in elderly: Results of Fujiwara-kyo Eye Study.

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a significant association between a visual impairment (VI) and mobility functions in an elderly Japanese cohort. The subjects of this study were part of the Fujiwara-kyo Eye Study, a cross sectional epidemiological study of elderly individuals conducted by Nara Medical University. Participants were ≥70-years who lived in the Nara Prefecture. All underwent comprehensive ophthalmological examinations, and a VI was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) worse than 20/40 in the better eye. The associations between the BCVA and walking speed and one-leg standing time were determined. The medical history and health conditions were evaluated by a self-administered questionnaire. A total of the 2,809 subjects whose mean age was 76.3 ± 4.8 years (± standard deviation) were studied. The individuals with a VI (2.1%) had significantly slower walking speeds and shorter one-leg standing times than that of the non-VI individuals (1.5±0.4 vs 1.7±0.4 m/sec, P<0.01; 17.1±19.6 vs 27.6±21.3 sec, P<0.01, respectively). Univariate logistic regression found that the odds ratio (OR) for the slower walking speed (<1 m/sec) in the VI individuals was significantly higher at 7.40 (3.36–16.30;95% CI, P <0.001) than in non-VI individuals. It was still significantly higher at 4.50 (1.87–10.85;95% CI, P = 0.001) in the multivariate logistic regression model after adjusting for the BCVA, age, sex, current smoking habit, and health conditions. Our results indicate that the walking speed and one-leg standing times were significantly associated with VI.

The effects of visual impairment on motor imagery in children and adolescents

BackgroundWhile the development of motor imagery (MI) has been extensively studied in sighted children, it is not clear how children with different severities of visual impairment (VI) represent motor actions by using the motor representations constructed through the remaining intact senses, especially touch. AimsMental chronometry and generation/manipulation of MI were examined in children with and without VI. Methods and proceduresParticipants included 64 youth with and without VI (33 without visual impairments, 14 moderate-to-severe, and 17 blind). Mental chronometry was assessed with the imagined Timed-Up-and-Go-Test (iTUG), and generation/manipulation of MI with the Controllability-of-Motor-Imagery-Test (CMI). In addition, the effect of working memory performance (Letter-Number-Sequencing) and physical activity upon MI were evaluated. ResultsMental duration for the iTUG was significantly shorter than the active durations. Results also provided evidence of better haptic representation than motor representation in all participants; however, only for the CMI-regeneration condition controls outperformed children with visual impairments and blindness (CVIB). Exercise and working memory performance showed a significant contribution only on a few MI tests. Conclusion and implicationsOur results suggest a possible relationship between motor performance, body representation deficits and visual impairment which needs to be addressed in the evaluation and treatment of CVIB. The design of new rehabilitation interventions that focus on strengthening adequate body perception and representation should be proposed and tested to promote motor development in CVIB.

Multisystemic Increment of Cortical Thickness in Congenital Blind Children.

It has been shown that the total or partial lack of visual experience is associated with a plastic reorganization at the brain level, more prominent in congenital blind. Cortical thickness (CT) studies, to date involving only adult subjects, showed that only congenital blind have a thicker cortex than age-matched sighted population while late blind do not. This was explained as a deviation from the physiological mechanism of initial neural growth followed by a pruning mechanism that, in congenital blind children, might be reduced by their visual deprivation, thus determining a thicker cortex. Since those studies involved only adults, it is unknown when these changes may appear and whether they are related to impairment degree. To address this question, we compared the CT among 28 children, from 2 to 12 years, with congenital visual impairments of different degree and an age-matched sighted population. Vertex-wise analysis showed that blind children, but not low vision one, had a thicker cortical surface in few clusters located in occipital, superior parietal, anterior-cingular, orbito-frontal, and mesial precentral regions. Our data suggest that the effect of visual impairment on determining thicker cortex is an early phenomenon, is multisystemic, and occurs only when blindness is almost complete.

Adaptive behaviour and quality of life in school-age children with congenital visual disorders and different levels of visual impairment

BackgroundAdaptive behaviours are vital skills that allow individuals to function independently and are potentially amenable to behavioural interventions. Previous research indicated that adaptive behaviours are reduced in children and adolescents with severe to profound VI, but it was unclear if this was also the case for children with mild to moderate VI. AimThe aim of the study was to assess differences in adaptive behaviour in children with congenital visual disorders and different levels of visual impairment and their influence on quality of life and everyday strengths and difficulties. Methods and proceduresQuestionnaires about adaptive behaviour, strengths and difficulties, and quality of life were completed by parents of school-age children with severe-to-profound VI (S/PVI, n = 9, 0.9 logMAR – light perception only), mild-to-moderate VI (MVI, n = 9, 0.1–0.7 logMAR), or typical sight (control, n = 18, −0.3 to 0.1 logMAR). Differences in questionnaire domains by the severity of VI and relationships between adaptive behaviour and quality of life were analysed in general linear models. Outcomes and resultsThe questionnaire ratings indicated reduced adaptive behaviour, more difficulties, and reduced quality of life in children with S/PVI compared to typically-sighted peers. Effects were smaller for children with MVI, but indicated a significant reduction in quality of life compared to typically-sighted children. The effect of visual impairment on quality of life in school was partially mediated by adaptive behaviour. Conclusion and implicationSevere congenital visual impairment affects adaptive behaviour in children with verbal abilities in the typical range. This effect is less pronounced in children with mild-to-moderate VI, but still impacts on quality of life, particularly in school.

Effect of Different Visual Impairment Levels on the Quality of Life in Glaucoma Patients.

SUMMARY – The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different visual impairment levels on difference in the subjective quality of life estimation. We included 150 patients with glaucoma whose best-corrected visual acuity in the better-seeing eye was 0.5 and less. All of them were in advanced stage of the disease, with visual field defect worse than 12 dB in mean defect, when measured with the Octopus Visual Field Analyzer. In order to assess the quality of life, we used the Impact of Vision Impairment questionnaire. Additionally, we used General Information Questionnaire, which was developed for the purpose of this study. The information obtained from the questionnaires was analyzed using the Robust Discriminant Analysis program. Difference analysis was performed for each of the three areas of the questionnaire (reading and accessing information, mobility and independence, and emotional well-being). Results of this study confirmed the difference between the groups of patients with different levels of visual impairment, varying from total visual loss up to visual acuity 0.5 on the better-seeing eye in the effects of visual impairment on the quality of life. All levels of visual impairment had the largest effect in the area of reading and accessing information, slightly less in the area of mobility and independence, and the least effect was in the area of emotional well-being. Based on the results, it is concluded that all levels of visual impairment have negative effect on the quality of life in glaucoma patients.

Use of echolocation and long cane for obstacle avoidance during walking: Effects of visual impairment and echolocation expertise

Use of echolocation and long cane for obstacle avoidance during walking: Effects of visual impairment and echolocation expertise

The visual white matter: The application of diffusion MRI and fiber tractography to vision science.

Visual neuroscience has traditionally focused much of its attention on understanding the response properties of single neurons or neuronal ensembles. The visual white matter and the long-range neuronal connections it supports are fundamental in establishing such neuronal response properties and visual function. This review article provides an introduction to measurements and methods to study the human visual white matter using diffusion MRI. These methods allow us to measure the microstructural and macrostructural properties of the white matter in living human individuals; they allow us to trace long-range connections between neurons in different parts of the visual system and to measure the biophysical properties of these connections. We also review a range of findings from recent studies on connections between different visual field maps, the effects of visual impairment on the white matter, and the properties underlying networks that process visual information supporting visual face recognition. Finally, we discuss a few promising directions for future studies. These include new methods for analysis of MRI data, open datasets that are becoming available to study brain connectivity and white matter properties, and open source software for the analysis of these data.

Effect of Visual Impairment on Physical and Cognitive Function in Old Age: Findings of a Population‐Based Prospective Cohort Study in Germany

To examine how visual impairment affects physical and cognitive function in old age. A longitudinal population-based prospective cohort study. General practitioner offices at six study centers in Germany. They were observed every 1.5 years over four waves. Individuals aged 77-101 at follow-up Wave 2 (N = 2,394). Physical and cognitive function were assessed using an adapted scale that had been previously developed, and visual impairment was rated on a Likert scale (none, mild, severe or profound). Adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidity, linear fixed-effects regression showed that the onset of severe visual impairment was associated with a decline in physical function score in the total sample (β = -0.15, P = .01) and in women (β = -.15, P = .03). Moreover, the onset of severe visual impairment was associated with decline in cognitive function score in the total sample (β = -0.38, P < .001) and in women (β = -0.38, P < .001) and men (β = -0.37, P = .001). Visual impairment affects physical and cognitive function in old age. Interventional strategies to postpone visual impairment may contribute to maintaining physical and cognitive function.

Impacts of visual impairment on quality of life and family functioning in adult population

Background: Impairment of vision can adversely impact the patient’s quality of life and negatively affect the family dynamic. However, evaluation of the implications of visual impairment on the patient’s family is often overlooked. Objectives: To summarize the impacts of visual impairment on the patient’s quality of life and to explore the negative implications of visual impairment on the patient’s family dynamic. Methods: Electronic Medline database search was conducted between 1946 and 2015 to evaluate the impacts of visual impairment on the quality of life and its effects on the patient’s family functioning and relationship. The search was restricted to articles published in English and adult more than 18 years old. The initial 80 articles were reviewed and 16 relevant studies were selected in this analysis. Results: Twelve studies assessed the impact of visual impairment on the patients’ quality of life. Four studies investigated the effects of visual impairment on the patient’s family dynamic. Visual impairment has negative impacts on different aspects of life including social, psychological, and physical health. Family functioning and relationship can be severely influenced by visual impairment. Conclusion: Assessment of family functioning is crucial in the evaluation of visually impaired patients. Enhancement of adaptation in patients with visual impairment can be accomplished when working with patients and their families.

Effect of Visual Impairment on Teleretinal Imaging for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening.

To evaluate the effect of decreased visual acuity on image quality obtained by non-mydriatic retinal photography in diabetic subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS This case-control study comprised 422 eyes (211 cases with ungradable images after non-mydriatic retinal photography, and 211 controls). All subjects underwent complete ophthalmic examination. The association between ungradable image rate and several eye factors, such as corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalent (SE), astigmatism, and cataracts, was evaluated using a generalized estimating equations model. Visual impairment (Snellen CDVA worse than 20/40) was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of ungradable images. The odds ratio (OR) for this association was 7.79 (95% CI, 4.19-14.50; P < .0001). This relationship remained significant in the multivariable model (OR: 5.23; 95% CI, 2.82-9.71; P < .0001). Similarly, refractive error worse than -6.0 diopters (D) SE or +5.0 D SE was associated with increased risk of ungradable scans, with an OR of 13.21 (95% CI, 2.61-66.77; P = .002). Decreased visual acuity may be a predictor of inaccurate image analysis in subjects screened for diabetic retinopathy by non-mydriatic retinal photography.