Biomedical subjects

T R Stelmack

Publications and source records attributed to T R Stelmack.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Development and sensitivity to visual impairment of the Low Vision Functional Status Evaluation (LVFSE).

BACKGROUND: Functional limitation because of visual impairment is one of the most important measures of low vision rehabilitation outcome because it represents the true impact of visual impairment upon the daily lives of individuals. The Low Vision Functional Status Evaluation (LVFSE) was designed to evaluate functional limitation because of visual impairment using both observed and self-reported performance on daily activities. METHODS: Performance on 27 daily activities was evaluated for 155 visually impaired subjects. Subjects also provided ratings of task difficulty. RESULTS: Correlations between observed performance and visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual field loss severity were moderate, r = -0.60 to r = 0.34. Correlations between self-reported task performance difficulty and measures of visual clinical state were weaker, r = -0.44 to r = 0.21. CONCLUSIONS: The LVFSE shows promise as a sensitive measure of low vision-related functional status but more work is needed to refine the measure.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1994

Optometric clinical abbreviations.

BACKGROUND: Standard clinical abbreviations useful to optometric practitioners are provided. This list contains terms that should be used in the examination, diagnosis and management of patients and serve in inter- and intra-professional communications.

Abbreviations as Topic↗

PubMed1991

Preliminary examination of the reliability and relation to clinical state of a measure of low vision patient functional status.

An evaluation of the reliability and relation to clinical state of a measure of low vision patient functional status was conducted. The measure included discrete tasks aggregated into three different areas: identifying objects, reading, and daily/leisure activities. Data were obtained retrospectively from case records of 247 low vision patients and 144 complete cases were used for statistical analyses. Evidence of reliability was found with coefficient alpha scores for the three areas ranging from 0.90 to 0.96. Significant relations between functional status and clinical states (acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual field) were found with R2 values ranging from 0.39 to 0.58, p less than 0.001.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1987

Clinical use of the Pepper Visual Skills for Reading Test in low vision rehabilitation.

The Pepper Visual Skills for Reading Test (VSRT) is an assessment instrument designed by Whittaker et al. to evaluate the reading skills of patients with macular degeneration who were able to read to their satisfaction before their vision loss. The VSRT was administered to 10 patients with macular degeneration and central scotomas from the Low Vision Optometry Program at the Hines Veterans Administration Hospital Central Blind Rehabilitation Center and the Visual Impairment Center to Optimize Remaining Sight (VICTORS) at Westside Veterans Administration Medical Center, Chicago. Reading skills were measured before and after a low vision treatment program. Results indicate that this test may be useful in designing low vision training programs, evaluating the progress of individual patients receiving low vision services, and evaluating low vision programs designed to rehabilitate those with reading difficulty.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

Management of open-angle glaucoma.

Open-angle glaucoma is a non-curable, blinding disease which has its best prognosis when management begins at its earliest onset. Recent studies, such as those demonstrating axonal loss before functional or physical changes occur, will have an effect on the current standard of management. This includes indications for initiating treatment as well as what constitutes controlled intraocular pressure. Pharmacological management is often difficult due to drug tolerance and compliance problems. Some types of secondary open angle glaucomas respond very poorly to treatment. Hence, an accurate diagnosis is imperative to proper management. Principles underlying pharmacological management are discussed. When pharmacological management fails, laser and/or surgical intervention is required to prevent further vision loss.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed1987

Optometry residency in low vision rehabilitation: a cooperative program.

A cooperative Optometry Residency in Low Vision Rehabilitation has been established by the Optometry Sections at Hines Veterans Administration Hospital, Westside Veterans Administration Medical Center and the Illinois College of Optometry. The objective of this program is to train optometrists to function within, develop and direct clinical low vision programs in multidisciplinary settings. This optometry residency is unique in that it provides experience in delivering clinical low vision services in both inpatient and outpatient settings for patients of all ages during all stages of the clinical course of their disease, treatment and rehabilitation. Clinical rotations include the Optometry Section at the Central Blind Rehabilitation Center, the Chicago VICTORS Program, the Low Vision Clinic and affiliated Low Vision Clinics of the Illinois College of Optometry.

Blindness↗