Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
07:12
A Gaze-Contingent Display Framework for Perceptual Learning Research with Simulated Central Vision Loss
Published on: April 11, 2025
A novel, multidisciplinary clinic for complex visual problems in older people
R C Han1, J M Jefferis, J P Taylor
1Newcastle Eye Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Eye (London, England)
|October 13, 2012
Summary
A new multidisciplinary clinic combining neurology, ophthalmology, and psychiatry effectively diagnoses and manages complex visual symptoms in older adults. This approach identified neuropsychiatric components in most cases, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Neuro-Ophthalmology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Visual symptoms in older adults often exceed simple eye pathology.
- Psychological and neurodegenerative factors contribute to complex visual disturbances.
- A purely ophthalmic approach may be insufficient for these patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the patient population and disease prevalence in a novel multidisciplinary clinic.
- To evaluate the impact of integrated neurological, ophthalmic, and psychiatric care.
- To assess the diagnostic and management efficacy for complex visual problems in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective audit of patient records from June 2010 to February 2012.
- Inclusion of selected case reports to illustrate clinical approach.
- Analysis of patient demographics, presenting complaints, diagnoses, and management strategies.
Main Results:
- 48 patients attended the clinic; 47 records were analyzed (mean age 76.2).
- Common complaints included hallucinations, nonspecific visual deficit, and double vision.
- Cognitive impairment was present in 68% (32/47), with 50% being new diagnoses. 98% of patients received a diagnosis, 74% being new. 89% had a neuropsychiatric component, while only 6% were solely eye-related.
Conclusions:
- A combined clinic with neurological, ophthalmic, and psychiatric input is effective.
- This integrated approach aids in diagnosing and managing complex visual problems in older individuals.
- The clinic successfully identified neuropsychiatric contributions to visual symptoms in the majority of patients.
More Related Videos
10:14Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: May 26, 2023
11:12Driving Simulation in the Clinic: Testing Visual Exploratory Behavior in Daily Life Activities in Patients with Visual Field Defects
Published on: September 18, 2012
Related Concept Videos
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
01:12Visual Agnosia
Visual agnosia is a condition characterized by the inability to recognize visually presented objects despite having normal vision. For instance, a person with visual agnosia can describe the shape and color of an object but cannot identify or name it. This impairment does not affect their visual field, acuity, color vision, brightness discrimination, language, or memory. An example of this condition in a social setting is someone at a dinner party asking for "that silver thing with a round end"...