Course: Advances in Eyecare: Multidisciplinary approaches to eye health, Section: Unit 2

General

No CPD Points

This edition of Advances in Eyecare focuses on a variety of issues associated with low vision and takes a closer look at the Medicines Use Review service offered by pharmacists.

Dark Adaptation: Dr Ian Murray discusses his research on dark adaptation in early stage AMD, exploring the implications of this research, and whether it has the ability to aid the earlier detection of the disease.

Depression & Low Vision: Dr Tom Margrain reviews the outcomes of his study, a recent collaboration between the charity Guide Dogs and Cardiff University, on the prevalence of depression in the visually impaired.

Comorbidities & Low Vision: Dr Helen Court discusses her cross-sectional analysis of the comorbidities of visual impairment.

Eccentric Viewing: Professor Chris Dickinson summarises her research on eccentric viewing and associated techniques, including steady eye strategy, in order to determine the usefulness of such visual training for patients.

Medicines Use Review: Bobby Sira, a Consultant Pharmacist, speaks about the importance and function of Medical Use Reviews in clinical practice.

Last published: March 2017

Unit 2 - Depression and Low Vision (~11 mins)

Depression and Low Vision

Almost two million people in the UK are living with sight loss. Visual impairment is more common in older people, and the effects are often compounded by other age-related health conditions. Sight loss is associated with an increased chance of developing other health issues ranging from broken bones due to falls, to depression caused by feelings of isolation.

In a recent collaboration between the charity Guide Dogs and Cardiff University, Dr Tom Margrain led a study on the prevalence of depression in the visually impaired and what’s being done about it. Gwyneth Morgan, Community Optometrist, Life Fellow and Past President of the College of Optometrists, talks to him about the study, and its implications.

FileDepression and Low Vision File
References

Evans JR, Fletcher AE, Wormald RPL. 2007. Depression and anxiety in visually impaired older people. Ophthalmology. 114. 283 – 8

Kempen IJM, Zijlstra GA. 2014. Clinically relevant symptoms of anxiety and depression in low-vision community-living older adults. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 22 (3), 309 – 13.

Margrain TH, et al. 2016. High prevalence of untreated depression in patients accessing low-vision services. American Academy of Ophthalmology. 123(2), 440 – 1.

Margrain TH, Nollett C, Shearn J, et al. 2012. The depression in visual impairment trial (DEPVIT): trial design and protocol. BMC Psychiatry. 12, 57.

NICE. 2009. Depression in adults with a chronic physical health problem: treatment and management. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. CG91.