Field Of Low Vision Research Articles

Translation and cultural adaptation into Spanish of the Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire

Abstract Objective The purpose of the present study was to provide a translation into Spanish, as well as a cross-cultural adaptation, of the English version of the Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire (LVQOL). There are currently some questionnaires designed to assess vision related quality of life in Spanish, although none of them specifically examines the quality of life of patients with visual disability. Method The LVQOL consists of 25 items and examines 4 different dimensions: distance vision; mobility and illumination; adaptation, reading and precision work, and daily life activities. The process of translation and cross-cultural adaptation was conducted following the recommendations of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes. This included, amongst other variables, a direct translation, a back-translation, and a cognitive debriefing with a small sample of patients with visual impairment. Work was supervised by an expert committee consisting of an ophthalmologist, a psychologist with expertise in Patient Reported Outcomes, and an optician-optometrist with experience in the field of low vision. Results A total of 46 phrases were considered for translation of which, 41 (89.1%) had excellent equivalence, 3 (6.5%) moderate equivalence, and 2 poor equivalence. The cognitive debriefing phase showed a high degree of acceptance of the questionnaire by the sample of participants with visual impairment. Conclusions The results obtained suggest that the Spanish version of this tool is understandable for patients with visual impairment. Its properties as a measuring tool will be evaluated in a later study to determine its validity, reliability, and sensitivity to changes.

Traducción y adaptación cultural al español del cuestionario Low Vision Quality of Life (LVQOL)

ObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to provide a translation into Spanish, as well as a cross-cultural adaptation, of the English version of the Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire (LVQOL). There are currently some questionnaires designed to assess vision related quality of life in Spanish, although none of them specifically examines the quality of life of patients with visual disability. MethodThe LVQOL consists of 25 items and examines 4 different dimensions: distance vision; mobility and ilumination; adaptation, reading and precision work, and daily life activities. The process of translation and cross-cultural adaptation was conducted following the recommendations of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes. This included, amongst other variables, a direct translation, a back-translation, and a cognitive debriefing with a small sample of patients with visual impairment. Work was supervised by an expert committee consisting of an ophthalmologist, a psychologist with expertise in Patient Reported Outcomes, and an optician-optometrist with experience in the field of low vision. ResultsA total of 46 phrases were considered for translation of which, 41 (89.1%) had excellent equivalence, 3 (6.5%) moderate equivalence, and 2 poor equivalence. The cognitive debriefing phase showed a high degree of acceptance of the questionnaire by the sample of participants with visual impairment. ConclusionsThe results obtained suggest that the Spanish version of this tool is understandable for patients with visual impairment. Its properties as a measuring tool will be evaluated in a later study to determine its validity, reliability, and sensitivity to changes.

Psychosocial interventions to improve mental health in adults with vision impairment: systematic review and meta-analysis.

To systematically assess the literature on psychosocial interventions to improve mental health (i.e. depression, anxiety, mental fatigue, loneliness, psychological stress and psychological well-being) in visually impaired adults (≥18years). The databases Medline, Embase and Psychinfo were searched for relevant studies, which were categorised into randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs and before and after comparisons (BA). The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess study quality. Standardised mean differences (SMD) were calculated to quantitatively summarise the outcomes of the RCTs and non-RCTs in a meta-analysis. Meta-regression was used to explore sources of heterogeneity in the data. The search identified 27 papers (published between 1981 and 2015), describing the outcomes of 22 different studies (14 RCTs, four non-RCTs, and four BAs). Pooled analyses showed that interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms (SMD -0.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.60 to -0.01), while effects on anxiety symptoms, mental fatigue, psychological stress and psychological well-being were non-significant. Meta-regression analyses showed homogeneity in effect sizes across a range of intervention, population, and study characteristics. Only a higher age of participants was associated with less effective results on depressive symptoms (b=0.03, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.05), psychological stress (b=0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.13) and psychological well-being (b=-0.03, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.01). However, after removing a clear outlier the overall effect on depressive symptoms and the influence of age on depressive symptoms and psychological stress were no longer significant, while the influence of age on psychological well-being remained. There is currently only limited evidence for the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in the field of low vision. More well-designed trials are needed with specific attention for interventions tailored to the needs of elderly patients.

Deficiência visual: medidas, terminologia e definições

The terminology adopted by professionals in the field of low vision rehabilitation, as well as in topics that are pertinent to the work of professionals and healthcare practices is of paramount importance for collaboration on the guidelines of actions geared towards the inclusion of the visually impaired person, consistency of professional performance; disseminating the “gold standard” of activity in the field of low vision; discussing interdisciplinary activities and roles of various professionals and overall improved quality of services. This publication will shed light on the measures, terminology, and definitions of visual impairment.

Stepped-care to prevent depression and anxiety in visually impaired older adults--design of a randomised controlled trial.

BackgroundSubthreshold depression and anxiety are common in the growing population of visually impaired older adults and increase the risk of full-blown depressive or anxiety disorders. Adequate treatment may prevent the development of depression or anxiety in this high risk group.Method/designA stepped-care programme was developed based on other effective interventions and focus groups with professionals and patient representatives of three low vision rehabilitation organisations in the Netherlands and Belgium. The final programme consists of four steps: 1) watchful waiting, 2) guided self-help, 3) problem solving treatment, 4) referral to general practitioner. The (cost-)effectiveness of this programme is evaluated in a randomised controlled trial. Patients (N = 230) are randomly assigned to either a treatment group (stepped-care) or a control group (usual care). The primary outcome is the incidence of depressive and anxiety disorders, measured with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).DiscussionPreventive interventions for depression and anxiety have received little attention in the field of low vision. A stepped-care programme that focuses on both depression and anxiety has never been investigated in visually impaired older adults before. If the intervention is shown to be effective, this study will result in an evidence based treatment programme to prevent depression or anxiety in patients from low vision rehabilitation organisations. The pragmatic design of the study greatly enhances the generalisability of the results. However, a possible limitation is the difficulty to investigate the contribution of each individual step.Trial registrationIdentifier: NTR3296

The Low Vision Timeline: An Interactive History

This paper presents an edited, timeline chronology of the important developments in the field of low vision. The history of any discipline is inherently worth recording, although we recognize that ...

How to Make Low Vision "Sexy": A Starting Point for Interdisciplinary Student Recruitment

ABSTRACT: Professionals in the field of low vision are increasingly concerned about the paucity of optometry students who are expressing any interest in low vision as a clinical subspecialty. Concurrent with this apparent disinterest is an increased demand for these services as the baby boomer population becomes more predisposed to age-related vision loss. The authors of the present study conducted a qualitative survey to investigate ways to attract more young professionals into the field of low vision. The results of their survey revealed areas of concern including advertising, financial incentives, equipment and facility costs, relevance for practice, gaining experience, age-ism stereotypes, role models, and start-up opportunities, and yielded several suggestions that training institutions around the globe could consider and implement to redress the situation.KEYWORDS: low vision, qualitative survey, student recruitment Clinical low vision experts are becoming increasingly concerned about the paucity of optometry undergraduates who are expressing any interest in low vision as a clinical subspecialty. This apparent disinterest is occurring at a time when the demand for these services is increasing as the baby-boomer population becomes more predisposed to age-related vision loss. The con-cern about insufficient professional resources to cope with this looming population with low vision is not confined to the optometric profession. Occupational therapists have already recognized the need for recruitment strategies (Mulholland & Derdall, 2004, 2005); orientation and mobility and rehabilitation teachers are also preparing for the growing need of young pro-

The low vision timeline

A brief timeline history of the major developments in the field of low vision is presented. Readers are encouraged to contact the authors with suggestions for changes to the timeline.

The Development of Low Vision Services in Poland

This article discusses Poland's developing efforts in the field of low vision, first providing a historical review of the education of blind and visually impaired children. It presents data on education, professional preparation programs, research on low vision, and the adaptation of materials and teaching methods to the cultural needs of the Polish low vision population.

Clinical Low Vision

field of low vision is an area of concern in ophthalmology that unfortunately has been neglected over the Eleanor E. Faye, MD, is one of the recognized leaders in this nevertheless important field. second edition of Low Vision is a comprehensive vision. Like the first edition, this one has 17 contributing authors, but 14 are new to this edition. book is divided into seven major sections: The Low Vision Evaluation, Prescribing and Fitting, Factors in Visual Function, Clinical Management, Optics, Referrals and Resources, and The Child. final portion consists of appendixes. The field of low vision... has been neglected over the years. The Low Vision Evaluation, which includes six chapters written by Dr Faye, describes the patient with low vision. One can learn a great deal from the account of Dr Faye's work as director of the New York Lighthouse Low Vision Services. A

Educational Materials and Research Needs in the Field of Low Vision

Educational Materials and Research Needs in the Field of Low Vision

Itinerant Low Vision Services

The itinerant education concept proves helpful in providing visually impaired individuals with comprehensive low vision services, because visual screenings, training, and follow-up care can be provided on a regular basis within the student's own environment. Close cooperation among low vision clinic staff, classroom teachers, parents, ancillary personnel, and low vision educational consultants develops quality low vision service through a professional team approach. Such an approach is presently functioning successfully in the state of New Hampshire. To implement this approach, itinerant teachers with training and experience in the field of low vision are badly needed. It is recommended that universities, in cooperation with low vision clinics, seek ways of implementing such training in their present programs.