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Visual Aids (visual + aid)
Selected AbstractsYoung children's use of a visual aid: an experimental study of the effectiveness of trainingDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 6 2009RALF FA COX PHD We report an experiment concerning the use of a stand magnifier by young children with visual impairments (21 males, 12 females; mean age 4y 8mo [SD 11mo]). Children had a normative developmental level and a visual acuity of 0.4 or less (,20/50 in Snellen's notation). To measure magnifier use objectively, we developed a task that closely resembled the dynamics of its real-life (pre-reading) use. Children had to follow trails visually, from a start location to an unseen end location. This could only be done successfully and reliably by proper use of the magnifier. In addition to this, we analyzed the effect of specific training with the magnifier by using a repeated-measures (before and after training) matched-groups (with respect to age and near-visual acuity) design. Results established both the task's efficacy as an instrument for measuring magnifier use in young children and the effectiveness of the training. Improvement in task performance after training was found in both groups, except for the youngest children (<3y 6mo). On average, 1.8 times as many paths were followed in both groups after training (p=0.001). The without-magnifier training group became 2.5 times as good at finding the correct end location, whereas the with-magnifier training group became 4.3 times as good (p=0.05). [source] Evaluation of phone-based genetic counselling in African American women using culturally tailored visual aidsCLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2010T Pal Pal T, Stowe C, Cole A, Lee J-H, Zhao X, Vadaparampil S. Evaluation of phone-based genetic counselling in African American women using culturally tailored visual aids. Genetic counselling (GC) services for inherited breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) are underutilized by African American (AA) women. We sought to evaluate factors associated with knowledge gain in a sample of AA women diagnosed with early-onset breast cancer, in whom GC for HBOC was provided, using a culturally targeted genetic counselling aid (GCA). Through a cancer registry-based study, phone-based GC for HBOC was offered to AA women with breast cancer ,50. A questionnaire to assess knowledge about HBOC was completed prior to GC. All women were provided a GCA about HBOC developed by the investigative team for use during the GC session. Following GC, a personalized summary letter was mailed to all study participants and the same knowledge questionnaire was completed. A total of 37 study participants completed the pre- and post-GC knowledge questionnaires with significant gains in knowledge following the GC process (p < 0.0001). Statistically significant factors associated with knowledge gain included earlier stage of diagnosis of breast cancer and education level. Our results indicate that phone-based GC supplemented by a culturally targeted visual aid is an effective means of improving knowledge about HBOC in young AA women with invasive breast cancer. [source] Improvement of reading speed after providing of low vision aids in patients with age-related macular degenerationACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 8 2009Nhung Xuan Nguyen Abstract. Purpose:, Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of severe visual impairment, including loss of reading ability, among elderly persons in developed countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate reading ability before and after providing of appropriate low vision aids. Methods:, Five hundred and thirty patients with different stages of AMD (age 82 ± 8 years) were included in this retrospective study. All patients underwent a standardized ophthalmological examination including evaluation of magnification requirement and careful providing of low vision aids. Before and after the provision of low vision aids, reading speed [words per minute (wpm)] was evaluated using standardized reading texts. Results:, For the whole group, the average best-corrected distance visual acuity of the better eye was 0.18 ± 0.15, with 69% of patients having visual acuity of 0.1 (20/200) or better. The mean magnification requirement was 7.4 ± 6.3-fold (range 2,25). Visual rehabilitation was achieved with optical visual aids in 58% of patients, whereas 42% of patients needed electronically closed-circuit TV systems. Mean reading speed was 20 ± 33 wpm before and increased significantly to 72 ± 35 (p < 0.0001) after the provision of low vision aids for the whole group. Between patients with visual acuity < 0.1 and patients with visual acuity of 0.1 or better, there are highly significant differences in reading speed before (0.4 ± 3.8 versus 20 ± 28 wpm, p , 0.0001) and after providing of visual aids (40 ± 13 versus 84 ± 30 wpm, p , 0.0001). Patients with severe visual impairment (visual acuity , 0.1) showed significantly lower improvement of reading speed compared to patients with visual acuity of 0.1 or better following rehabilitation (p , 0.0001). Before providing of low vision aids, only 16% of patients were able to read; in contrast, reading ability was achieved in 94% of patients after the provision of low vision aids for the whole group. Conclusion:, Our results indicate the great value of low vision rehabilitation through adequate providing of vision aids for the improvement of reading ability, with a highly significant increase of reading speed without training of eccentric viewing in patients with retained central fixation. The prompt implementation of low vision aids in patients with macular degeneration will help them to maintain and regain their reading ability, which can lead to an increase in independence, communication, mental agility and quality of life. [source] The cost of cataract patients awaiting surgeryACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 6 2000Ulf Stenevi ABSTRACT. Purpose: To describe the cost for society services caused by the patients awaiting surgery for one year in Gothenburg, 1997. Methods: From a waiting list of 1458 patients awaiting cataract surgery 250 randomly selected patients were interviewed. The structured questions focused on community services, such as home help, subsidised travel by taxi, medical treatment at home, visual aids, hospital stay and medical consultation, caused by the cataract symptoms. Results: The total cost for the community for the 1 458 patients awaiting surgery was an estimated SEK 5 200 000. Hospital stay and home help were the largest parts of this community expense. Conclusion: The direct costs for society for one year caused by 1 458 patients awaiting cataract surgery with a mean waiting time of 9.8 months was approximately the same as operating 800 patients (eyes). [source] Evaluation of phone-based genetic counselling in African American women using culturally tailored visual aidsCLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2010T Pal Pal T, Stowe C, Cole A, Lee J-H, Zhao X, Vadaparampil S. Evaluation of phone-based genetic counselling in African American women using culturally tailored visual aids. Genetic counselling (GC) services for inherited breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) are underutilized by African American (AA) women. We sought to evaluate factors associated with knowledge gain in a sample of AA women diagnosed with early-onset breast cancer, in whom GC for HBOC was provided, using a culturally targeted genetic counselling aid (GCA). Through a cancer registry-based study, phone-based GC for HBOC was offered to AA women with breast cancer ,50. A questionnaire to assess knowledge about HBOC was completed prior to GC. All women were provided a GCA about HBOC developed by the investigative team for use during the GC session. Following GC, a personalized summary letter was mailed to all study participants and the same knowledge questionnaire was completed. A total of 37 study participants completed the pre- and post-GC knowledge questionnaires with significant gains in knowledge following the GC process (p < 0.0001). Statistically significant factors associated with knowledge gain included earlier stage of diagnosis of breast cancer and education level. Our results indicate that phone-based GC supplemented by a culturally targeted visual aid is an effective means of improving knowledge about HBOC in young AA women with invasive breast cancer. [source] | ||||||||||