Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Visual impairments can profoundly impact both patients and their families, resulting in substantial challenges and necessitating lifestyle adjustments. While considerable attention has been given to understanding the diminished quality of life (QoL) reported by patients with visual impairment, the burden on family and friends who provide ‘informal’ care to severely visually impaired adults is less explored. This study investigates the association between the QoL of informal caregivers and the care they provide to adults with severe visual impairments.
METHODS: A systematic literature search using Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library was conducted via Ovid to identify relevant articles published between 1^st January 1946 and 6^th June 2024. Supplementary searches were undertaken through citation forward and backward tracking and Google Scholar. Studies which investigated the burden and experiences of informal carers providing care to individuals ≥18 years of age with low vision were included. Independent two-step screening and data extraction was performed by two reviewers. Data was analysed using qualitative descriptive methodology.
RESULTS: Of 140 articles (excluding age-related macular degeneration majority aetiology studies), 6 were identified as relevant to this review. The following themes were identified: (1) negative associations between the severity of patient visual impairment and caregiver anxiety, spousal strain, and intensity of informal care; (2) the demographics of patients and caregivers influencing caregiving experience; (3) high prevalence of depressive symptomatology and overcontrolled coping; and (4) most at-risk caregivers being female.
CONCLUSIONS: The impact of low vision is far-reaching. The findings from this review not only underscore the clear association between caregiver QoL and the burden of caring for adults with severe visual impairment, but also emphasise the urgent need for to build awareness and conduct further research on the negative psychosocial impacts of providing care to adults with low vision.