Research
- Factors which influence the use of Low Vision Aids (2005)
- Deteriorating vision, falls and older people: the links (2005)
- Training eccentric fixation for reading: The implementation of a community based service - a pilot study. (2004)
- The Identification Project: Improving access to specialist services for people who are visually impaired (2004)
- The Patient Support Service at Gartnavel Hospital Eye Department: An Evaluation of the First Year (2004)
- Services for People with a Visual Impairment (2002)
Visibility carries out research into various aspects of living with sight loss and services. The following is a brief summary of recent research reports with links to the reports which can be downloaded.
Factors which influence the use of Low Vision Aids (2005)
The study gives an insight into some of the individual factors and the service delivery characteristics that influence the use of low vision aids. It highlights that people need to be encouraged and supported to use low vision aids and that aids need to be provided as part of an integrated and comprehensive service.
- For more information please contact Shelagh Palmer
- Telephone: 0141 332 4632 or emailShelagh Palmer
Deteriorating vision, falls and older people: the links (2005)
36% of participants in Visibility' s Identification Project (2004) mentioned they had fallen, or tripped, as a result of their sight loss. It is important to explore the relationship between deteriorating vision and falls, as both problems affect a significant proportion of older people. Older people with sight problems are not only more likely to fall, but are at a greater risk of multiple falls, compared to their fully sighted peers. Working again on behalf of Greater Glasgow NHS Board, twenty-four people who had reported a fall were interviewed. 67% of participants said they were experiencing significant problems with their eyesight and 71% said they had difficulty with, or were unable to read, small print e.g. medicine labels, cooking instructions, bills. 71% of those interviewed said their GP knew about their falls and 71% of participants had attended a hospital accident and emergency department at least once after a fall. It can be difficult for health and social care staff to know if the functional vision of their clients/patients is problematic. If professionals working with older people are unaware of sight problems, it is possible that those at an increased risk of falls may be overlooked. Health and social care professionals have a key role in identifying those at risk of falling and in identifying clients with failing vision. Simple verbal questioning about visual health would be a beneficial starting point. Professionals working with older people can promote the importance of regular eye examinations to ensure early detection of eye disease and make referrals where appropriate to the local social work sensory impairment team or voluntary organisation.
- For more information please contact Susan Campbell
- Telephone: 0141 332 4632 or emailSusan Campbell
Training eccentric fixation for reading: The implementation of a community based service - a pilot study (2004)
Visibility has recently been involved in setting up and developing an eccentric reading programme for people with central visual loss (New View Project). This report is an evaluation of the first group of 21 people who participated in the project. The results show that the eccentric reading technique can make a considerable impact on functioning reading skills and in turn increase confidence and independence.
For more information on this research contact 0141 572 0745 or email David Logan
The Identification Project: Improving access to specialist services for people who are visually impaired (2004)
Building on the previous research and to establish the extent of unmet need, Visibility was commissioned by Greater Glasgow NHS Board to conduct an in-depth identification project within a specific geographical area. In partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council, this project centred on Clydebank to explore how many people are living with a serious sight loss, but are unknown to specialist services, how these individuals would define their needs and how current services meet these needs. From this work, it would appear that it is unlikely that there are large numbers of visually impaired people living in the Clydebank area who are unknown to services of any kind. However it was evident that two thirds of those interviewed would benefit from a new or re-referral to specialist services e.g. their local social work sensory impairment team.
The report evidences that people with a visual impairment require information support, aids and equipment when their sight problem first starts to impact on their quality of life. People need to be able to access specialist services at this time and should be helped and encouraged to do so.
- For more information please contact Susan Campbell
- Telephone: 0141 332 4632 or emailSusan Campbell
The Patient Support Service at Gartnavel Hospital Eye Department: An Evaluation of the First Year (2004)
From our initial work, several recommendations arose. The most universal and pressing need articulated, was for access to emotional support, information and advice, especially at the point of diagnosis of serious sight loss. Greater Glasgow NHS Board and Visibility responded to this by piloting a patient support service in the busiest eye department in the city at Gartnavel Hospital. This would be the first of its kind in Scotland, a service dedicated to providing emotional support and advice within the eye clinic setting. From the first days of the service, the aim was to establish a professional service which listened to patients concerns, complemented the medical services and provided a bridge into social and functional support for people. It is a holistic, patient centred service that provides immediate contact not only for the person diagnosed with serious sight loss but also for the families, carers and associated hospital and community based professionals.
The report describes the process of setting up this new service and evaluates the impact that it has had on both staff and patients.
Services for People with a Visual Impairment (2002)
Research conducted in 2001 by Visibility on behalf of Greater Glasgow NHS Board, explored the views of professionals and visually impaired people in relation to health and social care provision. This work highlighted an often difficult journey through 'the system' and the many points at which visually impaired people lose contact with services, often before accessing the support necessary to meet their needs. The research showed a clear need to improve access to emotional support and practical help in both the hospital and community setting.
The report documents the views of service providers and service users and identifies the gaps in service provision and the opportunities to develop services in response to the needs of visually impaired people.
Further information from 0141 332 4632: Health Team