Age-related macular degeneration: care of the patient in the community setting.

The aim of this article is to explain age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and how it impacts on the wellbeing of patients in the community setting. It explores the anatomy and physiology associated with AMD, its symptoms and treatment, and goes on to discuss related nursing care.

Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma: a Biopsychosocial Approach to Patient Care.

It is estimated that 2.2 billion people are affected by impaired vision resulting from eye conditions. Chronic open angle glaucoma (COAG) is one such condition, which primarily affects older adults, and is linked to other factors such as genetic predisposition, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking.

Cataracts: the essentials for patient care.

It is estimated that over 2.2 billion people globally have a visual impairment. Cataract is one such form of impairment, which can be surgically corrected.

Changing practice for the non-medical ophthalmic hospital workforce in the UK-a snapshot survey.

Background/objectives: To obtain a picture of the current status, training and governance for advanced practice and extended roles in the ophthalmic hospital non-medical workforce.

Methods: A 10 question, quantitative survey was designed with multidisciplinary members of the UK Ophthalmology Alliance and sent to the membership to obtain information on expanded non-medical roles.

Results: 34 of the 58 UKOA member hospitals responded (58% response rate).

Advanced ophthalmic nurse practitioners: the potential to improve outcomes for older people with cataracts.

An ageing population has led to a substantial increase in the prevalence of visual impairments, which can compromise lifestyle, health and general physical and psychological well-being. Age-related cataracts can have a negative effect on older people's quality of life but can be corrected by surgery. It is imperative that older people have access to cataract surgery and, given government objectives of NHS efficiency gains, advanced level nurse practitioners have the potential to increase capacity for and access to cataract surgery.

Developing sustainable nursing and allied health professional research capacity.

Background: Research provides the evidence on which to base effective, safe clinical services. Engaging healthcare staff in research improves healthcare. However, clinical staff may not want to leave clinical practice to develop their research experience.

Glaucoma, dementia, and the "precipice of care": transitions between states of medication adherence.

Purpose: "She wouldn't remember. Even when I go through, and she's decided to go to bed, I'll say I'll come and do her drops. If I didn't say that, they wouldn't be done.

A feasibility study to prevent falls in older people who are sight impaired: the VIP2UK randomised controlled trial.

Background: Published evaluations of successful interventions to prevent falls in people with sight impairment (SI) are limited. The aim of this feasibility study is to optimise the design and investigation of home safety (HS) and home exercise (HE) programmes to prevent falls in older people with SI.

Methods: A community-based feasibility study in north-west England comprising a three-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) allocated participants to (1) a control group receiving usual care and social visits, (2) an experimental group receiving the HS programme and (3) an experimental group receiving the HS + HE programme.

Assessment of injury severity in patients with major trauma.

Major trauma centres provide specialised care for patients who have experienced serious traumatic injury. This article provides information about major trauma centres and outlines the assessment tools used in this setting. Since patients in major trauma centres will be transferred to other settings, including inpatient wards and primary care, this article is relevant for both nurses working in major trauma centres and in these areas.

The causes of falls: views of older people with visual impairment.

Background: Sight impairment increases with age and, compared with the general older population, older people with sight impairment are more likely to fall. There is a growing body of evidence on the views and perceptions of older people about falls, but little is published on the views of older people with sight impairment.

Objective: To explore what older people with sight impairment believe to be the causes of falls.