Eye health and quality of life: an umbrella review protocol

Assi, Lama; Rosman, Lori; Chamseddine, Fatimah; Ibrahim, Perla; Sabbagh, Hadi; Congdon, Nathan; Evans, Jennifer R; Ramke, Jacqueline; Kuper, Hannah; Burton, Matthew J.; Ehrlich, Joshua R.; Swenor, Bonnielin K.

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037648

Cited by 27 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…VI is a major cause of disability worldwide, 21 and has been associated with increased mortality, 22 multiple chronic comorbidities, 23 , 24 anxiety and depression, 10 and decreased quality of life. 25 , 26 People with disabilities have been reported to be at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and worse outcomes, 27 but disease prevalence and outcomes amongst the visually-impaired have not been adequately examined. Our study was not intended to detect a difference between groups in regards to rate of infection, as only 1 participant overall reported being positive for COVID-19.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals Across the Spectrum of Visual Impairment

Shalaby

Odayappan

Venkatesh

et al. 2021

American Journal of Ophthalmology

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Purpose : To assess perceptions and implications of COVID-19 across the spectrum of visual impairment (VI) and normally-sighted individuals Design : Prospective cross-sectional comparative study. Method : XXXXXX Setting : Institutional. Patients : 232 patients and their caregivers. Four groups were created based on better eye characteristics: blind (best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) < 3/60 or visual field < 10 central degrees), severe VI (3/60 ≤ BCDVA < 6/60, vertical cup-to-disc ratio ≥ 0.85 or neuroretinal rim width ≤ 0.1), moderate VI (6/60 ≤ BCDVA < 6/18), or no/mild VI (controls, BCDVA ≥ 6/18) based on International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria and Foster and Quigley's consensus definition of glaucoma. Procedure : Telephone questionnaires. Main Outcomes and Measures : Differences in perceptions and implications of COVID-19 across various levels of VI. Caregiver perceptions were a secondary outcome measure. Results : Survey was completed by 232 participants, with 58 participants in each VI group. Mean age was 58.9 years ± 13.2. Greater degrees of VI were associated with older age (P=0.008) and lower education level (P=0.046). Blind participants more commonly perceived vision as a risk factor for contracting COVID-19 (P=0.045), were concerned about access to healthcare (P<0.001), obtained news through word of mouth (P<0.001), and less commonly wore masks (P=0.003). Controls more commonly performed frequent handwashing (P=0.001), were aware of telemedicine (P=0.029), and had fewer concerns about social interactions (P=0.020) compared to groups with substantial VI. All caregivers reported more frequent patient care since COVID-19 began. Conclusions : The pandemic may have a disproportionate impact on the visually-impaired, and evidence-based assessments of COVID-19 health outcomes in this population are warranted.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals Across the Spectrum of Visual Impairment

Shalaby

Odayappan

Venkatesh

et al. 2021

American Journal of Ophthalmology

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“…315 The use of effective cataract surgical coverage (proportion of people aged 50 years or older with operated cataract or operable cataract who have a good postoperative presenting visual acuity) has only begun since 2017, with a total of 28 available reports representing few global regions (appendix 1 p 81). To supplement these reports and assess progress in the past two decades, we have reanalysed the data from 149 RAAB surveys from 48 countries (appendix 1 pp [84][85]. We then selected the most appropriate estimate available for each country.…”

Section: Progress Towards Universal Eye Health Coveragementioning

confidence: 99%

“…To summarise the extensive research on the impact of vision impairment, eye conditions, and ophthalmic interventions on the quality of life, we conducted an umbrella review of systematic reviews ( appendix 1 p 17 ). 85 In total, 69 systematic reviews were identified. Nine of those reviews evaluated the relationship between quality of life and vision impairment or specific eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy, and all concluded that vision loss and eye disease were associated with poor quality of life outcomes.…”

Section: Section 2: the Importance Of Eye Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020

Burton

Ramke

Marques

et al. 2021

The Lancet Global Health

Self Cite

743

572

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Eye health is essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals; vision needs to be reframed as a development issue There is extensive evidence showing that improving eye health contributes directly and indirectly to achieving many Sustainable Development Goals, including reducing poverty and improving work productivity, general and mental health, and education and equity. Improving eye health is a practical and cost-effective way of unlocking human potential. Eye health needs to be reframed as an enabling, cross-cutting issue within the sustainable development framework. Almost everyone will experience impaired vision or an eye condition during their lifetime and require eye care services; urgent action is necessary to meet the rapidly growing eye health need In 2020, 1•1 billion people had distance vision impairment or uncorrected presbyopia. By 2050, this figure is expected to rise to 1•8 billion. Most affected people live in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) with avoidable causes of vision impairment. During the life course, most people will experience vision impairment, even if just the need for reading glasses. Because of unmet needs and an ageing global population, eye health is a major public health and sustainable development concern which warrants urgent political action. Eye health is an essential component of universal health coverage; it must be included in planning, resourcing, and delivery of health care Universal health coverage is not universal without affordable, high quality, equitable eye care. In line with the WHO World report on vision, we urge countries to consider eye care as an essential service within universal health coverage. To deliver comprehensive services including promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, eye care needs to be included in national strategic health plans and development policies, health financing structures, and health workforce planning. Coordinated intersectoral action is needed to systematically improve population eye health, also within healthy ageing initiatives, schools, and the workplace. Integration of eye health services with multiple relevant components of health service delivery and at all levels of the health system is of central importance.

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“…Limitations in daily functioning, independence, indoor and outdoor movement, social inclusion, communication and employment extend beyond the affected individual, and can have repercussions for the family and the community. 2 In addition, the current COVID-19 pandemic and its preventive measures pose a new set of challenges for people with visual impairment in performing daily living tasks by restricting their usual routine support and supplies. 3 People with visual impairment need to live independently and cope with daily challenges faced at home, workplace, school, and market.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smartphones-Based Assistive Technology: Accessibility Features and Apps for People with Visual Impairment, and its Usage, Challenges, and Usability Testing

Senjam¹,

Manna²,

Bascarán³

2021

OPTO

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Smartphones are less likely to be considered as assistive technology for visual impairment among a large majority of health care providers, excluding vision rehabilitation professionals, and the general public who are not familiar with accessible features and apps. The present review aims to highlight accessible features and apps along with usages, including educational, and access to smartphones as assistive technology for visual impairment and blindness. It also includes advantages and challenges faced by users, and usability testing by app developers. There have been significant recent developments in mobile technology that incorporate computer technology relating to electronic information, communication, and touch-screen accessibility. Such advances in technology are transforming the use of smartphones from a traditional visual interface to a truly visual free interaction using alternative body senses, such as haptic, gesture, and so on. There are many built-in accessible features and third-party accessible applications that enable people with visual impairment to perform daily activities, independent functioning, movement, social inclusion and participation, education, etc. They are universally designed, so they are unlikely to induce social stigma or negative reactions from peers or public. Healthcare practitioners, not limiting to eye care, and caregivers, family members, teachers, or special educators should be informed about the potential uses and benefits of smartphones for visually impaired in developing nations. Evidence shows that most of the users train by themselves. Enhancing the awareness along with training for teachers and caregivers would be helpful to improve access and skills among users with visual disabilities. Developers are continuously producing more innovative applications for visual impairment, which indicates the need for having a training guideline on the use of smartphones.

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Eye health and quality of life: an umbrella review protocol

Cited by 27 publications

References 43 publications

The Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals Across the Spectrum of Visual Impairment

The Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals Across the Spectrum of Visual Impairment

The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020

Smartphones-Based Assistive Technology: Accessibility Features and Apps for People with Visual Impairment, and its Usage, Challenges, and Usability Testing

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