Impaired Vision (impaired + vision)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Impaired vision and other factors associated with driving cessation in the elderly: the Blue Mountains Eye Study

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 3 2001
Jagjit Singh Gilhotra MBBS
ABSTRACT The aim of present study was to review vision and other factors associated with the cessation of driving. As part of the Blue Mountains Eye Study, detailed demographic information, driving status and medical history were taken. Visual acuity was measured during a standardized refraction and visual fields documented. Potential risk factors were decided a priori. Among the 3654 Eye Study participants, 2831 (77.5%) had driven a motor vehicle in the past, of whom 2379 (84.0%) were current drivers and 452 (16.0%, 95% CI 14.6,17.4%) said they had stopped driving. Older persons and women were more likely to have stopped driving. After adjusting for age and sex, sensory impairment affecting vision and hearing, plus chronic medical conditions and benzodiazepine use were significantly associated with cessation of driving. The study found that sensory impairment, particularly visual parameters, was associated with the decision to stop driving by older subjects. [source]


Fall risk factors in older people with dementia or cognitive impairment: a systematic review

JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 5 2009
Jürgen Härlein
Abstract Title.,Fall risk factors in older people with dementia or cognitive impairment: a systematic review. Aim., This paper is a report of a review conducted to identify and summarize specific risk factors for falls in older people with dementia or cognitive impairments as documented by prospective or case,control studies. Background., People with dementia have a doubled to threefold risk for falls, but the reasons for this have not yet been fully explained. Several integrative literature reviews discuss possible specific fall risk factors. However, there is lack of a systematic evaluation of studies. Data sources., The CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE and PsychInfo databases were searched for the period between 1980 and May 2007. Review methods., A systematic review was conducted. Cohort or case,control studies published in English or German were included if they investigated risk factors for falls or fall-related injuries in a sample consisting of participants with dementia or cognitive impairment. Two reviewers independently assessed study quality. Results., Six prospective studies were included in the review. These differed concerning samples, settings, follow-up periods and examined variables. Therefore, meta-analysis was not possible. Eight categories of risk factors emerged: disease-specific motor impairments, impaired vision, type and severity of dementia, behavioural disturbances, functional impairments, fall history, neuroleptics and low bone mineral density. Conclusion., There is lack of sound studies examining fall risk factors in cognitively impaired elders. Well-known risk factors such as motor impairment show particular characteristics in people with dementia. In addition, behavioural disturbances contribute to their high risk for falls. Further prospective studies are needed. [source]


4124: Electrophysiology of childhood retinal dystrophies

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010
M BROWN
Purpose To provide a systematic approach to the diagnosis of causes of impaired vision in childhood with particular reference to the role of electrophysiology in retinal dystrophies Methods We have examined the contribution Electrodiagnostic Testing (EDT) can make in determining or confirming a diagnosis. Results We have set out a systematic approach to diagnosis of both early and late onset disorders, differentiating between retinal and non-retinal causes. Signs, symptoms, inheritance patterns and test results are tabulated against specific disorders showing the contribution EDT can make. Recent example case studies are also presented. Conclusion Electrodiagnostic testing is of particular value in identifying and differentiating causes of poor vision where there may not be clear retinal signs in the early stages such as Leber's congenital amaurosis, CSNB, cone dystrophy and albinism. A further role is in the differentiation of retinal from post-retinal causes. [source]


A longitudinal study of visual acuity and visual rehabilitation needs in an urban Swedish population followed from the ages of 70 to 97 years of age

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 6 2002
Birgitta Bergman
ABSTRACT. Purpose:, To investigate the longitudinal change in visual acuity (VA) in the oldest members of the elderly population, to estimate future numbers of people with visual impairments, and to estimate needs for and the effects of visual rehabilitation. Methods:, In the Gerontological and Geriatric Population Studies in Gothenburg, Sweden (H 70), subjects underwent repeated eye examinations at the ages of 70, 82, 88, 95 and 97 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the probability of independent living as a function of distance VA at different ages. Results:, Rates of normal VA (, 0.8) declined from 86% of the study group at age 70 to 7% of the study group at age 95 (0% at age 97). The incidence of VA , 0.1 increased from 1.4% at age 70 to 27% (all women) at age 97. The deterioration was faster at higher ages. No statistically significant difference in best-corrected distance VA between genders was found. A substantial improvement was achieved by correcting refractive errors. There was a statistically significant correlation between distance VA and the probability of independent living at all ages except age 97. At ages 95 and 97, about 50% of the study group were able to read newspaper print with best-corrected glasses. Conclusions:, The number of old people with impaired vision will increase. People aged 80 years and older should have regular eye-screening in order to preserve vision and present conditions of living. Cataract surgery and low vision rehabilitation should be offered when the subject can still benefit from it, preferably during their 80s at the latest. [source]