Eye Care for those Living with Dementia
By Dr Marianne Coleman, Evelyn Doak, Stephen Grady, Heather Macklin, Natalie Ive.
Sight is an important sense to all of us.
While those living with dementia are not any more or less likely to develop eye problems, they are at greater risk of experiencing preventable vision impairment from these conditions.
Up to one in three people living with dementia experience some level of sight loss. Dementia often prevents people from accessing eye care, with one in five not receiving recommended yearly eye tests.
Those living with dementia may find it difficult to describe changes in their eyesight, which would normally be a common prompt to get an eye test. With vision impairment impacting one’s ability to take part in activities and be social, it can affect mood and wellbeing, as well as being a trigger for changed behaviours.
Changed behaviours, in turn, can significantly impact the optometrist’s ability to complete the eye test. In our research, anxiety and agitation were the most common changed behaviours observed by optometrists. Having someone such as a family member or a care worker present during the eye test can be a big help.
How can you support eyecare in people living with dementia?
- It’s important to avoid making assumptions about how well someone with dementia can see. A person with dementia in residential care may be wearing glasses, but this does not mean they are up to date, the correct pair for the current activity, or even belong to the person.
- Be aware of the different ways optometrists can help people living with dementia. An eye test is more than just reading lines on the chart; optometrists can also prescribe ocular medications and give lifestyle advice, such as recommending eyelid scrubs to reduce infections. It’s not just about eye health, it’s about eye comfort too.
- Keep care records accessible. Transferring information about a person’s eye care needs into their care record can ensure that any treatment plans or changes in vision are communicated to anyone and are easy to find, especially for aged care GPs.
To understand more about supporting eye care for someone living with dementia, you can subscribe to the Australian Journal of Dementia Care.