Barriers in utilisation of low vision assistive products

Sivakumar, Priya; Vedachalam, Rajesh; Kannusamy, Veena; Odayappan, Annamalai; Venkatesh, Rengaraj; Dhoble, Pankaja; Moutappa, Fredrick; Narayana, Shivananda

doi:10.1038/s41433-019-0545-5

Cited by 27 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Interestingly, LVS patients were more likely to utilise low vision aids, which may indicate better access to specialised, for‐profit, low vision optometrists and other non‐profit LVS that also prescribe low vision aids, or, increasing collaboration between these companies and LVS. This differs from previous studies that suggested LVS patients experience a barrier to obtaining low vision aids 42 . However, this referral pathway is in complete agreement with the Dutch referral guidelines.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 61%

“…Results of generalised estimating equations (GEE) analysis: The effects of time (year) on patient characteristics barrier to obtaining low vision aids 42. However, this referral pathway is in complete agreement with the Dutch referral guidelines.Moreover, LVS patients were mainly older adults over 65 years of age, female, had low or middle SES, macular related diseases and lived in urban areas within 20 km of LVS locations.…”

mentioning

confidence: 67%

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Trends in low vision service utilisation: A retrospective study based on general population healthcare claims

Stolwijk

Nispen

Verburg³

et al. 2022

Ophthalmic Physiologic Optic

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To identify parameters associated with the downward trend in the uptake of Low Vision Services (LVS) in the Netherlands. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on a Dutch national health insurance claims database (Vektis CV) of all adults (≥18 years) who received LVS from 2015 until 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to assess socio-demographic, clinical and contextual characteristics and other healthcare utilisation of the study population. General estimating equations trends in characteristics and healthcare utilisation were determined over time.Results: A total of 49,726 unique patients received LVS, but between 2015 and 2018, the number of patients decreased by 15%. The majority was aged 65 years or older (53%), female (54%), had a middle (38%) or low (24%) socio-economic status and lived in urban areas (68%). Between 2015-2018, significant downward trends were found for treatment with intravitreal injections and lens-related diseases for LVS patients. For physical comorbidity, utilisation of ophthalmic care, low vision aids and occupational therapy, a significant upward trend was found over time. Conclusion:The decrease of Dutch LVS patients by 15% between 2015 and 2018 might be explained by a reduced distribution of patients treated with intravitreal injections and patients with lens-related diseases within the LVS. Compared to 2015, patients were more likely to have physical comorbidity, to see an ophthalmologist and to use low vision aids and occupational therapy in 2016, 2017 and 2018. This might indicate enhanced access to LVS when treated by ophthalmologists or within other medical specialties, or the opposite, i.e., less access when not treated within one of these medical specialties. Future research is needed to examine differences in patterns between LVS users and non-users further.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 61%

mentioning

confidence: 67%

Trends in low vision service utilisation: A retrospective study based on general population healthcare claims

Stolwijk

Nispen

Verburg³

et al. 2022

Ophthalmic Physiologic Optic

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“…Desde que la RP se manifiesta, las personas se ven condicionadas por los procesos de adaptación de su self a la nueva realidad generada por la patología. Además, también se tienen que enfrentar a la estigmatización, al tratamiento diferencial y la negación de oportunidades (Bulk et al, 2020;Sivakumar et al, 2020). Estos procesos pueden ser producidos por los propios afectados o por los demás.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Impacto de la retinosis pigmentaria en la vida diaria y social

Álamo-Martín¹,

López²,

Coca³

2022

Cuad. Trab. Soc.

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Las distrofias retinianas, producen en las personas que las padecen, una progresiva degeneración de la retina que conlleva pérdida de la visión a lo largo de los años, afectando negativamente a su capacidad funcional y su participación social. La investigación empleó metodología mixta con un diseño CUAN+CUAL. La parte cuantitativa fue un estudio de casos y controles con muestra no probabilística e intencional de 30 personas, con y sin retinosis pigmentaria pareados por edad y sexo. A todos ellos se les pasó la Encuesta Modelo de Discapacidad, Versión Corta (EMDc) de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se compararon factores externos, que pueden influir sobre problemas cotidianos relacionados con la salud, apoyo familiar y social y actitudes de los demás. La parte cualitativa consistió en el análisis de datos obtenidos mediante entrevistas en profundidad a las 15 personas con retinosis pigmentaria del grupo caso. Se obtuvieron diferencias significativas entre los grupos, que muestran mayores dificultades de las personas con distrofias en su vida cotidiana que las que no la padecen, como la movilidad, la realización de tareas domésticas o con la participación social. El ruido, la luminosidad, no disponer de medios tecnológicos que faciliten la accesibilidad y el ocularcentrismo existente en la sociedad, además de provocarles malestar y nerviosismo, son fuente de exclusión social. Los resultados aportan evidencias que permitirán a los/las trabajadores/as sociales intervenir para favorecer la participación social de un colectivo afectado por una enfermedad rara de la visión evitando inequidades y avanzar en sus derechos.

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“…The use of assistive aids has been shown to result in the negative evaluation of intelligence, achievement, and appearance of people with disabilities by drawing negative attention to the user as an “unordinary person” and a belief that person may be a liability rather than an asset [ 50 , 51 ]. A recent study found that one of the most common causes of non-acceptance of assistive devices among people with visual impairments was social stigma and the fear of loss of employment, especially in working-age adults [ 52 ]. Similarly, another study exploring employment outcomes among adults with Retinitis Pigmentosa found that use of a cane or guide dog significantly reduced the odds of being employed among study participants [ 53 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Employment outcomes and experiences of people with seeing disability in Canada: An analysis of the Canadian Survey on Disability 2017

2021

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Background Many individuals with disabilities face barriers to meaningful employment. Legislation has been put in place to ensure employment equity for individuals with disabilities in Canada. However, little is known about the employment profile and experiences of people with seeing disabilities. Objectives The objectives of our research study were to explore the employment rates of people with seeing disabilities in Canada, the factors associated with being employed, and supports and barriers that affect their work participation. Methods We used the nationally representative data from the Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD) 2017, collected by Statistics Canada. The CSD is a national cross-sectional survey of Canadians 15 years of age and above who face a functional limitation due to a health-related condition, representing more than 6 million (n = 6,246,640) Canadians. Our analyses focused on people who reported having a seeing disability. A subset of the complete dataset was created, focusing on individuals with a seeing disability. Weighted descriptive analyses were performed using SPSS. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted for individuals between 25–64 years of age to identify predictors of employment. Results Out of the estimated 892,220 working-age adults (25–64 years) with a seeing disability who were represented by the survey, 54% were employed, 6% were unemployed and 40% were not in the labour force. Early onset of seeing disability (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.32–1.35), less severe seeing disability (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.49–1.53), education above high school (OR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.97–2.02) and daily use of the internet (OR: 2.46; 95% CI: 2.41–2.51) were positively related with employment. The top three employment accommodations that were needed and were made available included: modified work hours (45%); work from home (38.5%) and a modified workstation (37%). The top three needed but least available accommodations were technical aids (14%), communication aids (22%) and a computer with specialized software or adaptation (27%). Overall, 26% reported that an accommodation was required but was not made available by the employer. While 75% of individuals with a seeing disability were out of the labour force due to their condition, the remaining identified barriers that prevented them from working which included (top 3): (i) too few jobs available (20%); (ii) inadequate training/experience (19%), (iii) past attempts at finding employment were unsuccessful (19%). Conclusion Adults with seeing disability in Canada experience lower labour force participation than the general population. Rigorous programs are required to assist them with the job search, job retraining and workplace accommodations. It is important for governments to improve efforts towards inclusive education and develop strategies that promote digital literacy of employees and job seekers with visual impairments. Although accessibility legislations have been put in place, programs should be established that provide accessibility solutions for various employers, enabling them to hire individuals with different abilities.

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Barriers in utilisation of low vision assistive products

Cited by 27 publications

References 15 publications

Trends in low vision service utilisation: A retrospective study based on general population healthcare claims

Trends in low vision service utilisation: A retrospective study based on general population healthcare claims

Impacto de la retinosis pigmentaria en la vida diaria y social

Employment outcomes and experiences of people with seeing disability in Canada: An analysis of the Canadian Survey on Disability 2017

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