Population Health Research

Health Services Research

Vision impairment and quality of life: The development of a new education and self-management program

This study investigates the effectiveness of a new low vision rehabilitation model. A structured course to improve participants’ abilities and confidence to manage low vision is currently being evaluated as a supplement to the current low vision care. The program is called ‘Living with Low Vision.’

The impact of low vision rehabilitation services on family and friends

This study aims to assess the impact of a significant other attending the selfmanagement program together with a person with low vision.

Depression in individuals with vision impairment

To investigate the severity and predictors of depressive symptoms in a sample of people with vision impairment attending tertiary eye care clinics.

Identifying depression in people with vision impairment and developing
pathways to care

This study seeks to improve the eye health professional’s identification of comorbid depression in people with vision impairment and develop pathways to care. The project involves two stages: a statewide survey of eye health practitioners to assess the current practice of identifying and managing depression in people with vision impairment across Victoria; and the development of a training program to help staff working with people with vision impairment to identify and respond to depression.

Environment and Vision Optimisation in Residential Care (ENVORC)

This project aims to determine the effectiveness of interventions targeting intrinsic and extrinsic vision factors to improve vision, independence, safety and quality of life in people living in low-level residential care settings.

A prospective cohort study to examine the relationship between medication adherence and ocular signs and symptoms in patients treated with anti-glaucoma eyedrops

This project aims to determine if ocular signs and symptoms could be utilised as a proxy measure of anti-glaucoma medication adherence.

Factors associated with nonadherence to ocular hypotensive treatment

To determine the frequency and predictors of intentional and non-intentional nonadherence to anti-glaucoma medication. This study aims to explore adherence in glaucoma patients and determine the relative frequency of both intentional and non-intentional non-adherence, and the reasons for intentional and non-intentional non-adherence.

Population Health Research

National Trachoma Surveillance and Reporting Unit

The National Trachoma Surveillance and Reporting Unit (NTSRU) is funded
by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. It aims to improve the quality and consistency of data collection and reporting on trachoma in Australia, consistent with the Communicable Disease Network Australia (CDNA) ‘Guidelines for the Public Health Management of Trachoma in Australia, 2006’. Data from Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory has been collected and analysed to report on trachoma prevalence and control activities within the states and territory and monitor antibiotic resistance to azithromycin.

Eye care delivery models: Low vision services for children in Fiji

The establishment and evaluation of a low vision service for children in Fiji including a needs analysis to gather data on vision impairment in children 0 – 18 years. The program will increase awareness of and advocacy for low vision services. Results from the epidemiology aspect of this project were used in a statement for the Minister of Health on World Sight Day.

Mapping low vision models and programs in developed and developing countries The project aims to produce a global map of low vision services and evaluate existing models in developed and developing countries to identify priority work areas. The program seeks to design a survey to obtain data on systems and types of services provided in developed and developing countries; to identify critical success factors associated with effective low vision models of care and delivery of services in two selected countries; and inform the World Health Organization of priority areas of work in low vision care and services. The survey data will be entered into the WHO InfoBase in 2008.

Development of a model of support services for children with low vision

This study aims to develop tools to assess the service needs for children with low vision, including the development and validation a quality of life questionnaire for children with low vision derived from the perspectives of parents, teachers and specialist instructors, and the community.

Barriers to the use of eye care services among socio-economically disadvantaged inner city residents

To develop an understanding of the barriers to the use of health and eye care services in inner-city Neighbourhood Renewal projects.

Critical success factors in the utilisation of a new low vision service: The Centre for Vision Independence

An investigation of facilitators and barriers to the use of the Centre for Vision Independence (a collaborative venture between Guide Dogs Victoria and the RVEEH). The Centre’s close proximity to the RVEEH was found to facilitate referral uptake. However, inadequate understanding of the potential benefits of CVI and of low vision services generally were key barriers to use.

Enabling technology: Development of new non-mydriatic retinal camera

Development of the Prototype 2 camera progresses to field tests to assess effectiveness of the camera in detecting diabetic retinopathy and to demonstrate the camera’s integration into eye and health care programs.

Impact of visual field loss on driving

A simulator validation study to assess the impact of visual field loss on driving involving participants with glaucoma, hemianopia / quadrantopia, retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration.

Personal costs of vision impairment

A documentation of the direct and indirect personal costs of vision impairment, involving an innovative approach to establishing the personal costs associated with vision impairment.

National Indigenous Eye Health Survey

This program seeks to establish the prevalence, causes and impact on quality of life of vision loss and blindness in indigenous Australians, via a national survey conducted in randomly selected indigenous communities across urban, rural and remote communities. The protocol and questionnaire have been finalised with both being trialled in a pilot project in Moree (NSW).