Challenges in visual assessment of people with psychosocial disability

Abstract

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To explore the Challenges faced by an Optometrist and Ophthalmologist in Visual Assessment of People with Psychosocial Disability.

METHOD: This was a cross sectional study involving the use of self-designed questionnaire to evaluate the challenges in visual assessment of people with psychosocial disability. Chi Square test was applied. A sample size of total 32 practitioners was taken and asked to fill the questionnaire regarding challenges they face. This study was conducted in September, October and November 2021.

RESULTS: There were a total of 32 subjects. Out of 32 subjects 23 (71.9%) were male and 9 (28.1%) were females. We took two categories of eye care practitioners; Ophthalmologist and Optometrist. After filling self-made questionnaire, we concluded that Ophthalmologist and Optometrist have to face a lot of challenges in dealing with people with psychosocial disability. Most of the time they face difficulty in communicating with psychosocial person. They face difficulty in performing various procedures as they find the people with psychosocial disability uncooperative. They face aggressive attitude. They try to keep them comfortable and ensure friendly behavior. They try to keep themselves calm. They apply ethical codes in dealing with such persons. P value shows insignificant results which shows that both ophthalmologist and optometrist face equal challenges in dealing with people with psychosocial disability.

CONCLUSION: Visual assessment of uncooperative people with psychosocial disability is challenging for ophthalmologists and optometrists. They face many difficulties in assessing visual functions of people with psychosocial disability. They face hurdles in communication and interaction with people of psychosocial disability.

KEYWORDS: Challenges, Intellectual Disability, Ethical codes, Psychosocial Disability