Centre for Policy on Ageing



Vision screening for older people — the barriers and the solutions
Author(s)	Anthony Carnicelli, Jill Keeffe, Kerri Martin
Journal title	Australasian Journal on Ageing, vol 22.4, December 2003
Pages	pp 179-185
Source	http://www.cota.org.au
Keywords	Visual impairment ; Screening ; Australia.
Annotation	The need for detection of vision impairment in older people has been well-established. This study aimed to facilitate access to vision screening for people aged 65+ in Whitehorse, Melbourne, Australia, through aged care, health and community services. 147 people within these organisations were trained to use a vision screening kit. However, it was estimated that only 20% of participants used the kit, citing a number of barriers, the main ones being time restraints, conflict with other duties, and wanting an outside organisation to perform testing. Overall, out of 510 people, 442 (87%) could be tested and 169 (38%) were detected with vision impairment. Of these, 40 (24%) were under care, and 129 (76%) were referred for further examination. As a result of this study, the authors recommended that vision screening be integrated into provision of care services to older people and patients as part of a holistic approach to health. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-040216201 A
Classmark	BR: 3V: 7YA
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing

...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.