Breaking down barriers to accessing dementia-friendly eyecare

BackgroundPeople living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias experience barriers to accessing routine primary eyecare, increasing risk of preventable sight loss. One barrier is a negative experience with previous eye tests (defined as a comprehensive eye examination involving multiple tests to assess visual function and eye health). We explored eye test experiences for people with dementia and identified improvements. Supporting people with dementia to keep up regular eye tests may reduce risk of preventable sight loss, thereby supporting wellbeing and independence.ObjectiveFrom the perspectives of people living with dementia, family carers and optometrists: 1) Identify ways to improve experiences of having an eye test, and self-managing eye problems at home; and 2) Determine if/how optometrists change their testing and management approach to accommodate dementia.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with people living with dementia at home, past/current family carers and practicing optometrists. Framework analysis produced an integrated perspective. People with dementia and carers guided the research.ResultsIdentified themes were: 1) Good eyesight matters to people with dementia; 2) Varied impacts of dementia upon the eye test and following eyecare advice at home; 3) Adapting the eye test and eyecare advice to accommodate dementia; 4) What makes a good eye test experience for people living with dementia; and 5) Unmet training and education needs in dementia-friendly eyecare.ConclusionsDementia education/training to support optometrists to accommodate dementia, and encouraging people with dementia and carers to declare a dementia diagnosis before the eye test, could help break down barriers to accessing dementia-friendly eyecare.