Bastani Viarsagh, S, Zhang, ME, Shariflou, S, Agar, A & Golzan, SM 2022, 'Cognitive Performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test and Retinal Structural and Functional Measures in Glaucoma', Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 11, no. 17, pp. 5097-5097.
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Background: Glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness, is classified as a neurodegenerative disease, and its incidence increases with age. Pathophysiological changes, such as the deposition of amyloid-beta plaques in the retinal ganglion cell layer, as well as neuropsychological changes, including cognitive decline, have been reported in glaucoma. However, the association between cognitive ability and retinal functional and structural measures in glaucoma, particularly glaucoma subtypes, has not been studied. We studied the association between cognitive ability and the visual field reliability indices as well as the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) count estimates in a cohort of glaucoma patients. Methods: A total of 95 eyes from 61 glaucoma patients were included. From these, 20 were normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), 25 were primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and 16 were glaucoma suspects. All the participants had a computerised Humphrey visual field (HVF) assessment and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan and were administered the written Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. RGC count estimates were derived based on established formulas using the HVF and OCT results. A MoCA cut-off score of 25 and less was designated as cognitive impairment. Student’s t-test was used to assess differences between the groups. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the association between MoCA scores and retinal structural and functional measures. Results: Significant associations were found between MoCA scores and the false-negative and pattern standard deviation indices recorded on the HVF (r = −0.19, r = −0.22, p < 0.05). The mean IOP was significantly lower in the cognitively impaired group (i.e., MOCA ≤ 25) (13.7 ± 3.6 vs. 15.7 ± 4.5, p < 0.05). No significant association was found between RGC count estimates and MoCA scores. Analysis of these parameters in individual glaucoma subtypes did not reveal any group-specific s...
Courtney-Harris, M, Jolly, N, Rowe, F & Rose, K 2022, 'Validation of a vision-screening tool for use by nurses and other non-eye care health practitioners on stroke survivors', Contemporary Nurse, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 276-284.
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Crippa, J, Flaherty, M & Silveira, S 2022, 'Towards a national pre‐school vision screening programme', Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, vol. 58, no. 6, pp. 948-952.
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The aim of the study is to examine common approaches to pre‐school vision screening, including the current New South Wales model which is known as Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) to determine whether the criteria set by the World Health Organization are fulfilled by StEPS, and therefore, whether there is sufficient justification to deploy a similar model nationally. A literature review was conducted to answer four key questions related to vision screening. The authors sought to review (i) the justification for vision screening of a pre‐school population; (ii) the principles and best approaches to vision screening such as how, where and who should conduct vision screening; (iii) the conditions that are targeted in vision screening; and (iv) the acceptable pass/fail vision screening criteria. The StEPS vision screening model is an accurate, reliable and economical way of screening for reduced vision at a time when neural plasticity allows improvement in vision following intervention. It fulfils World Health Organization criteria for a successful screening programme. StEPS has very high participation rates compared to other screening methods in Australia due to its unique model whereby screeners utilise early childhood settings to recruit and screen 4‐year‐old children. Due consideration should be given to deploying the StEPS vision screening model nationally.
Hayes, C, Power, T, Forrest, G, Ferguson, C, Kennedy, D, Freeman-Sanderson, A, Courtney-Harris, M, Hemsley, B & Lucas, C 2022, 'Bouncing off Each Other: Experiencing Interprofessional Collaboration Through Simulation', Clinical Simulation in Nursing, vol. 65, pp. 26-34.
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Background: Effective communication and collaboration in interprofessional teams are fundamental to the provision of high quality and safe healthcare. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of interprofessional, pre–qualifying health professional students engaged in a simulated patient care scenario. Methods: Students from five healthcare disciplines were immersed in a collaborative simulation experience of managing a patient with stroke, from admission to discharge. Three focus groups were used to evaluate students’ experiences. Results: Three key themes emerged from participant narratives: (a) Learning to Speak the Same language: Working Together to Understand the Healthcare Team, (b) Progressing from Uncertainty to Collaborative Practice: Reflecting on Practice and Transition, and (c) Lessons Learned in Developing the Simulation: Barriers and Enablers to Learning. Conclusions: Immersion of healthcare students in interprofessional simulation experiences enhances role understanding, collaborative decision making, and communication skills.
Lucas, C & Nguyen, V 2022, 'Visual limitations do not indicate poor quality of life: reflections by future eye care professionals', Reflective Practice, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 17-29.
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Jin, C, Bell, JA, Deverell, L, Gates, F, Gorodo, I, Hossain, S, Lin, CT, Melencio, M, Nguyen, M, Nguyen, V, Singh, A & Zhu, H 1970, 'Acoustic touch: An auditory sensing paradigm to support close reaching for people who are blind', Proceedings of the International Congress on Acoustics, 24th International Congress on Acoustics, Korea.
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This work explores an auditory sensory augmentation paradigm we call acoustic touch, to assist people who are blind with reaching for close objects. The sensory augmentation system is constructed based on the Nreal augmented-reality glasses using a custom application running on an android phone. The system recognizes and localizes objects visually using cameras in the glasses, then renders objects as sound within a limited field-of-view, so we shall refer to the glasses as a foveated audio device. The repetition of the sound varies depending on the location of the object within the field of view of the foveated audio device. Psychophysical tests of the spatial perception of multiple objects are conducted comparing the acoustic touch paradigm with two other conditions: (1) a verbal clock face description of object locations and (2) a sequential audio presentation of the objects using Bluetooth speakers located with the objects. We report on the results of the psychophysical study with blind and blindfolded sighted participants.
Jin, C, Bell, J-A, Deverell, L, Gates, F, Gorodo, I, Hossain, SN, Lin, C-T, Melencio, M, Nguyen, M, Nguyen, V, Singh, AK & Zhu, H 2022, 'Acoustic touch: An auditory sensing paradigm to support close reaching for people who are blind', Center for Open Science.
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