vision detection and screening tools: housing settings sarah buchanan research and development...
TRANSCRIPT
Vision detection and screening tools: housing settings
Sarah Buchanan
Research and Development Manager
Thomas Pocklington Trust
Pocklington research and development activity
Development and trials of easy to use tools Barriers to detection and referral in primary
care
Access to low cost spectacles?
What is the problem?
UP to 50% of people aged 65+ have undetected and correctable sight loss
People with impaired vision are less likely to go for sight tests than people with unimpaired vision
Black and minority ethnic communities in general show low take up and use of eye health services
Older people with undetected sight loss are likely to have the following characteristics:
– basic education only – at risk of social isolation – depressed mood – need assistance with one or more basic activities of daily living – impaired memory – describe their health as fair or poor.
Reasons for having sight tests or not
What may be effective responses?
Does opportunistic encouragement increase take-up and action?
– Detection tools at home or in community settings– Tower Hamlets postcards
Could GPs or practice nurses encourage sight tests?– Awareness, training, incentives
Do outreach initiatives encourage BME take up?– Birmingham Focus Community View, SeeAbility
How important is information about low / no cost tests and spectacles?
Opportunistic testing
Easy, validated, tools that detect about 80% of correctable sight loss: – Computer software: RNIB trials in Hampshire and
Birmingham– Hand held cards: initial trials in community
housing, sheltered housing and care homes
Tower Hamlets LinkAge project Leeds ‘save your sight’ campaign
Detection in primary care settings
How may GPs be encouraged to refer people for sight tests? FOCUS - an education tool:
– Frailty; visual impairment is part of frailty, and may predict its development – Opportunistic Checks; use two questions, about close-vision hobbies and reading newsprint – Unrecognised visual function loss: may be tractable, and improve quality of life – Stoicism and Stigma: barriers to action to improve vision
Outreach initiatives targeting BME communities
Birmingham Focus Community View– Information at community events and meeting
places
SeeAbility in Tower Hamlets– Eye health and other issues
Tower Hamlets NHS and Local Authority – Pathways and partnerships
Low cost spectacles
Pocklington research identified limited availability and information
Eye Health Alliance leaflet and awareness raising
Contact details
Sarah Buchanan
Research and Development Manager
Thomas Pocklington Trust
www.pocklington-trust.org.uk