Sight for seniors: A summary of findings and challenges to providing community-based eye care to low-income seniors

Vision Impairment Among Older Adults Residing in Subsidized Housing Communities

“…Further, since we identified a substantial amount of vision impairment worse than 20/40, this population also represents a segment of the population who are in disproportionate need of visual health surveillance efforts. This is comparable to what was previously found by Winters and Pihos (2008) among a similar population of seniors in low-income housing in Chicago. Our study is among the first to examine visual impairment using objective measures (distance acuity, near acuity, and contrast sensitivity) in this population.…”

“…These same groups of people are also more likely to experience higher rates of chronic comorbid conditions such as hypertension and diabetes which can lead to eye disease and vision loss (Kaplan, Huguet, Feeny, & McFarland, 2010;Ko et al, 2012;Zambelli-Weiner, Crews, & Friedman, 2012;Zhang et al, 2012). Wong and Mitchell (2007) illustrate that the profound visual changes and complications (such as retinal vein and artery occlusion) associated with hypertension may lead to significant visual impairment and potential blindness. They also suggest that hypertension could be a pathogenic factor for glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.…”

Systematic review of community-engaged research in ophthalmology

“…Winters and colleagues hired a community liaison to promote a vision health program in a senior apartment community[25]. This specific partnership required clarity about the population to be evaluated, knowledge of the community, and trust building between researchers and the population.…”

“…The advantages of the research partners included, “greater participation rates, increased external validity, decreased loss of follow-up, and increased individual and community capacity”[53]. In our literature review, Hark and colleagues were able to screen over 1500 Philadelphians with community involvement [26], Quigley et al were able to screen over 5,300 with the employment of community health workers[21], and Winters et al also hired a community liaison to facilitate the partnership[25]. When Staley evaluated advantages to communities and researchers, she found that community members, such as those in the Quigley and Winters studies, were often able to attain new skills and knowledge, further their own personal development, acquire support and friendship, find enjoyment and satisfaction, as well as benefit from financial rewards[48].…”

Reductions in Intraocular Pressure After Acute Aerobic Exercise

“…1 It is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide and will affect 80 million people by the year 2020. 2 Of the many implicated risk factors, including age, heredity, and corneal thickness, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) remains the only controllable risk factor for POAG. 2 Of the many implicated risk factors, including age, heredity, and corneal thickness, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) remains the only controllable risk factor for POAG.…”