Feasibility of physical activity promotion in eyecare and sight loss services to improve the health of adults with sight loss: a survey

Abstract

Purpose

(1) To identify if adults with uncorrectable sight loss would increase their physical activity (PA) following advice from general healthcare, eyecare or sight loss service professionals. (2) To identify what resources could be provided alongside advice from a professional to facilitate PA.

Materials and methods

Survey data from 100 UK adults with uncorrectable sight loss were analysed. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to examine the association between participant characteristics, and the likelihood that participants would increase PA if advised to by different professionals.

Results

Most of our sample would increase their PA if advised to by a general practitioner (GP) (n = 78), ophthalmologist or optometrist (n = 70) or a low vision rehabilitation officer (n = 75). Thirty-one participants would increase their PA if advised to by a dispensing optician. Participants with a history of anxiety and depression were less likely to report they would increase their PA based on advice from a GP (p = 0.002). Sight loss specific and community-based PA groups, exercise specialist support, a sighted guide, and a travel plan, were considered by most participants to be useful facilitators of PA.

Conclusion

The results suggest eyecare and sight loss service professionals could facilitate increases in PA among adults with sight loss.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Physical activity levels among populations with sight loss are critically low, and inactivity increases the risk of chronic conditions and premature mortality within these populations.

• GPs, optometrists, ophthalmologists, or low vision rehabilitation officers could play a pivotal role in increasing physical activity levels among people with sight loss, by providing physical activity advice during consultations.

• Professionals advising people about physical activity should have the knowledge, and opportunity, to refer people with sight loss to accessible physical activity groups or services.

Keywords:

• Optometrist
• ophthalmologist
• rehabilitation
• optician
• low vision
• exercise

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [RKL] upon reasonable request.