Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9570
ISSN: 2155-9570
Shubhank Khare
University College of Medical Sciences, India
Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, India
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clin Exp Ophthalmol
Caregivers who assist persons with visual impairment oft en neglect their needs, resulting in burden and depression. Rehabilitation eff orts, directed to the disabled, seldom target the caregiver. Th is cross-sectional study was carried out in the outpatient department of a tertiary-level teaching hospital to assess burden and depression in persons caring for blind individuals. Institutional Ethical Board approval was obtained and written informed consent too was obtained from the participants involved in this study. Persons with best-corrected vision <20/200 in the better eye and their primary caregivers, were recruited. We recorded demography, other illness/disability, household income, relationship with disabled person, and caregiver burden (Caregiver Burden Scale) and depression (Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version-20 (Released 2011. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.); range, average and standard deviation were determined for age, burden and depression. Th e association between burden and depression was determined using Pearson's correlation, the relationship between degree of disability and caregiver burden and depression was determined using unpaired t-test, using multiple linear regression, factors were found to be statistically signifi cant; signifi cance was taken at P<0.05. 27 (53.0%) men and 24 (47.0%) women had visual impairment. Most caregivers (n=40; 81.6%) were fi rst-degree relatives or a spouse; 32 (65%) had schooling <5 years and 29 (59%) were unemployed. Depression ranged from 21 to 52 (average 43.2�±5.71), it correlated with degree of disability (P=0.012), household income (r=0.320; P=0.025) and burden (r=0.616; P<0.001). Burden ranged from 30 to 73 (average 54.5�±6.73) and correlated with degree of disability (P=0.006). On multiple linear regression, burden predicted depression (r=0.557; P<0.001). Caregivers merit community support, fi nancial benefi t, interventions to diagnose and treat depression and training in coping. Centers that provide disability certifi cation could off er counseling.
Shubhank Khare has his expertise in evaluation and passion in improving the health and wellbeing of patients and their caregivers. His study emphasizes that community-based support for the visually impaired individuals as well as for the caregivers should be a priority.