Managing glaucoma when living with dementia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patients’ and Carers’ perspectives of managing glaucoma when living with dementia: A grounded theory study
IRAS ID
194767
Contact name
Heather Waterman
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
TBC, Health and Care Research Wales Clinical Research Portfolio; TBC, UKCRN Portfolio Database
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
In general, studies show both visual impairment and dementia increase with age (SCIE 2014) and that poor visual acuity and low cognitive performance are strongly associated (Elyashiv et al 2014). People living with dementia and sight loss report feelings of distress and confusion from the joint effect of these two conditions and health care professionals generally feel unprepared to help appropriately (Lawrence et al 2009, 2010). Guidelines for dementia practice usually neglect the possibility that some people may also have a vision impairment and work as if all people can see (Bartlett and McKeefry 2009). There is a dearth of research on how to support people who live with dementia and also have glaucoma. This study builds on our previous work on sensory loss and dementia (SCIE 2014) and on adherence to glaucoma eye drops (Waterman et al 2013, Richardson et al 2013) to investigate from the perspectives of - i) those living with glaucoma, ii) carers and iii) health care professionals - the experiences and processes of caring and treating glaucoma when the person concerned also has dementia.
REC name
Wales REC 2
REC reference
16/WA/0006
Date of REC Opinion
2 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion