Visual Disability in the Elderly

Visual disability (including blindness) is of major significance among the elderly, and since it is so crucial to the quality of life of the elderly, it is necessary for all professional staff concerned with old people to have an understanding of the subject. Originally published in 1986, this book was written for such an audience, whether involved in care in the hospital, nursing home or the person's own home, and includes physicians in geriatric medicine, family doctors, nurses, social workers and staff in old people's homes, as well as volunteers or relatives. The book will also interest ophthalmic surgeons, doctors, nurses and students. The book describes the nature of visual disability, the 'ageing eye' and epidemiology of the problem. It discusses the measurement of distant and near vision and how environmental factors such as lighting, colour contrasts, interior design and external architecture can affect vision. Aids, from suitable simple lenses to complex low vision aids, are also reviewed.

Tim Cullinan

Preface. 1. Visual Disability and Blindness 2. Epidemiology 3. The Eye and How It Ages 4. Eye Diseases that Limit Sight in Later Life 5. Diagnosing Visual Disability in Elderly People 6. Seeking Professional Help 7. Lighting, Contrast and Colour 8. Optical Aids in Low Vision Janet Silver 9. Voluntary and Statutory Help. Addresses. Index.