Sensory Impairments and Social Isolation Among Hispanic Older Adults: Towards Culturally Sensitive Measurement of Social Isolation

Objectives: Sensory disabilities, including vision disability and hearing disability, increase risk for social isolation, which is associated with multiple negative health outcomes. Existing literature suggests that the cultural value of familism may provide a buffer against social isolation. We examined the longitudinal trajectory of social isolation among Hispanic older adults with self-reported vision disability (SRVD) and self-reported hearing disability (SRHD) and tested a modified measure of social isolation incorporating familism. Methods: We compared 8-year trajectories of social isolation among Hispanics (n = 445) and non-Hispanic Whites (n = 4,861) from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. We used structural equation modeling to explore the longitudinal relationships between sensory disability and social isolation while comparing two measures of social isolation. Results: Social isolation increased longitudinally for both groups, with SRVD significantly associated with higher initial levels. Social isolation started and remained higher across time among Hispanics. Using an adjusted measure of social isolation (added familial support), neither initial levels nor trajectories of social isolation differed between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White participants. Discussion: Initially, Hispanics appeared more socially isolated, reporting less social support from outside the home. Yet, we found that they were more likely to report family social connections. Traditional measures of social isolation focusing on social support outside of the home (neglecting support by family) may lack content validity among Hispanic groups. Culturally sensitive measures of social isolation will be increasingly consequential for future research and health policy to meet the needs of a diverse older population. Keywords: Social Isolation, Sensory Disability, Hispanic, Familism, Culture

Modeling of mechanical eye injury. Relevance. Background

The share of eye injuries in Russia is from 3 to 8% of the total number of injuries in peacetime. Eye trauma is one of the three main causes of vision disability and accounts for 22.8%. In wartime, the mass admission of wounded with damage to the organ of vision requires prompt decisions on their sorting, treatment, rehabilitation, dismissal, or return to duty. In peacetime, mechanical trauma to the eye is associated with the disability of the working population and large material costs. Considering the relevance of mechanical trauma to the eye, ophthalmologists around the world are constantly investigating the features of the pathogenetic mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment. Retrospective studies are based on the analysis of clinical cases, which are not always homogeneous. Experimental damage modeling has a long history. Attempts to simulate mechanical eye trauma have been made since the 40s of the XX century. Mathematical models are calculated based on known data: thickness, density, the elasticity of tissues, this makes it possible to predict the result of exposure to a wounding agent. Unfortunately, in these models, it is difficult to reproduce the entire complex of pathomorphological changes. The created models fulfilled the assigned tasks but had certain drawbacks. In each subsequent experiment, the reproducibility improved and the model approached the desired one as accurately as possible. Specialists of the Professor V.V. Volkov Ophthalmology Department S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy since the 40s. are engaged in solving this problem. For the first time in an experiment, B.L. Pole proved that closure of eyeball wounds with corneal and scleral sutures has an advantage over conjunctival covering. B.V. Monakhov et al. created an installation for inflicting mine-explosive injury to the eye. In the experiment, M.M. Shishkin inflicted a combined eye injury by striking the sclera with a knife with a rectangular blade and firing an air rifle at the knife handle. B.A. Kanevsky et al. reproduced a D-type gunshot open eye injury shot from an air rifle with a multi-compression piston pump. The creation of models that reproduce the mechanical trauma of the eye made it possible to study it in an experiment, which improved the quality of diagnostics and reduced the proportion of disability in this pathology (bibliography: 24 refs).

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Self-Reported Vision Disability among the Elderly in Malaysia: Findings from National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2018

Introduction. Disability has adverse effects on health, wellbeing, and life quality. Vision disorder is one of the top-ranked causes of disability in the elderly population. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with vision disability among the elderly in Malaysia. Methodology. Data collection from National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2018 was obtained. This survey focused on elderly health by using two-stage stratified cluster sampling design. The Washington Group Extended Question Set on Functioning (WG ES-F) was used to determine the vision disability. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 utilizing a complex sample design with multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the prevalence and associated factors to vision disability. Results. A total of 3,977 elderly completed the vision disability questionnaire. The overall prevalence of vision disability among those who were 60 years old and above was 4.5%. Multiple logistic regression revealed that no formal education (AOR: 6.69, 95% CI: 1.52, 29.49), only primary education (AOR: 4.26, 95% CI: 1.01, 18.03), unemployed/retiree or homemaker (AOR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.79, 5.89), hypertension (AOR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.00, 2.09), and malnourished elderly (AOR: 2.84, 95% CI: 1.76, 461) had higher odds for having vision disability. Conclusion. The findings suggest that a low education level, unemployment, hypertension, and malnourishment are significant risk factors for VD among Malaysia’s elderly. Strengthening awareness campaigns to increase VD awareness and provide high-quality rehabilitation services must target specific groups, such as the elderly with a low level of education and the unemployed. Empower primary healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the quality of eye care delivery and expand eye screening in settling VD issues nationally.

A Study on Vision Disability Compensation Provided to Students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND Visual disability is one of the most significant global health concerns. One of the studies conducted in northern part of Saudi Arabia showed that the prevalence of visual disability in adult population of 23.5 %. Very few studies have been conducted in Saudi Arabia to determine the prevalence of visual disability in the younger population. We wanted to determine the prevalence of visual disability in students studying at Qassim University. We also wanted to study and compare the utilization of compensatory rehabilitation by the students of urban and rural areas and the subjective response of beneficiaries. METHODS This study was done from September 2011 to May 2012, in the Department of Optometry in Qassim University, Buraidah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A crosssectional retrospective review from the records of 642 male students referred by the deanship of student’s affairs to the optometry clinic were studied. RESULTS The prevalence of visual disability in this study was found to be 2 %. Out of the total 642 students, a significant number of students [541 (84 %)] benefited from the scheme and 101 (16 %) were declared normal. Those who were declared visually disabled (2 %) were getting compensation on monthly basis and the remaining 82 % with mild to moderate visual problems benefitted with spectacles. More number of urban students were suffering from visual abnormalities (87.6 %) as compared to rural students (45.1 %). CONCLUSIONS Though visual disability among young population at Qassim University was found to be low as compared to adult population is Saudi Arabia, it is recommended to conduct regular check-ups for visual acuity and plan to reduce the magnitude of the problem. A significant number of students utilized the compensation and rehabilitation program provided by the department of optometry. KEY WORDS Refractive Error, Blindness, Student Compensation, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia

Smart Eye: A Handheld Device Based Application for Text Detection and Speech Conversion

Natural scene text is broadly observed in our everyday life and has countless imperative multimedia applications. Natural scene text typically show signs of outsized discrepancy in font and languages but endures from low resolution, occlusions and intricate background. An android based application Smart Eye which works in offline mode is proposed here for text detection which robustly perceives the text in natural images in real time and translates the text present in image to speech which can assist people with vision disability. The spoken is also converted to text which can aid people with hearing disability.

Deep Neural Network model for Convergence of Visual Fatigue and Computer Vision Disability

The expanded utilization of blue screens in the work environment and home has realized the advancement of various health concerns. Numerous people who uses blue screens such as Computers, Tablets, Mobiles and Etc., report an elevated level of occupation related grievances and side effects, including visual fatigue and stress. The complex of eye and vision issues identified with close to such usages are called as "computer vision syndrome". In this research work, we study and understand the flow level of a user, while using a smart phone. The study of the flow level will majorly depend on the eye-activity of the user. The data mentioned below is carefully recorded after examining the activity of eyes including the size of the pupil, blink rate, and blink duration. The purpose of this study is to understand the connection between the flow level and the activity of the eyes. A clear understanding of this connection could prove to be very useful information in the computer vision field. Additionally, this can also help a lot to understand about Visual Fatigue caused by Digital Medium

Service Learning on Inclusive Design: Sidewalk Redesign for Siwalankerto, Surabaya, Indonesia

Public facilities and transportation infrastructure were very important for all residents including Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Sidewalk should be safe and easy to use for all kind of users, ranging from the elderly, children, and the PwDs including wheelchair users, visual impairment, low vision disability, etc. The sidewalk should be safe, which means it should be inclusive yet also meets the standards. The Service Learning and research program in Petra Christian University’s Architecture Program was conducted with literature study, observation, discussion and interviews with users at Siwalankerto street’s sidewalks. The design would be implemented in Petra's area in the following year.