Vision detection and screening tools: housing settings Sarah Buchanan Research and Development Manager Thomas Pocklington Trust

Pocklington research and development activity Development and trials of easy to use tools Barriers to detection and referral in primary care Access to low cost spectacles?

What is the problem? UP to 50% of people aged 65+ have undetected and correctable sight loss People with impaired vision are less likely to go for sight tests than people with unimpaired vision Black and minority ethnic communities in general show low take up and use of eye health services Older people with undetected sight loss are likely to have the following characteristics: – basic education only – at risk of social isolation – depressed mood – need assistance with one or more basic activities of daily living – impaired memory – describe their health as fair or poor.

Reasons for having sight tests or not

What may be effective responses? Does opportunistic encouragement increase take-up and action? – Detection tools at home or in community settings – Tower Hamlets postcards Could GPs or practice nurses encourage sight tests? – Awareness, training, incentives Do outreach initiatives encourage BME take up? – Birmingham Focus Community View, SeeAbility How important is information about low / no cost tests and spectacles?

Opportunistic testing Easy, validated, tools that detect about 80% of correctable sight loss: – Computer software: RNIB trials in Hampshire and Birmingham – Hand held cards: initial trials in community housing, sheltered housing and care homes Tower Hamlets LinkAge project Leeds ‘save your sight’ campaign

Detection in primary care settings How may GPs be encouraged to refer people for sight tests? FOCUS - an education tool: – Frailty; visual impairment is part of frailty, and may predict its development – Opportunistic Checks; use two questions, about close-vision hobbies and reading newsprint – Unrecognised visual function loss: may be tractable, and improve quality of life – Stoicism and Stigma: barriers to action to improve vision

Outreach initiatives targeting BME communities Birmingham Focus Community View – Information at community events and meeting places SeeAbility in Tower Hamlets – Eye health and other issues Tower Hamlets NHS and Local Authority – Pathways and partnerships

Low cost spectacles Pocklington research identified limited availability and information Eye Health Alliance leaflet and awareness raising

Contact details Sarah Buchanan Research and Development Manager Thomas Pocklington Trust