Lack of solid research into dementia and sight loss is hampering the provision of services and there is 'a long way to go' in improving the visual health of sufferers according to the Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT).
To address the lack of knowledge available to optical practitioners, the TPT has published a study entitled The development of professional guidelines for people with dementia, which was presented at the first national Dementia and Sight Loss conference in London on December 1.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Bradford Schools of Optometry and Health Studies and found that policy and practice were hampered by 'a serious lack of basic research into concurrent dementia and sight loss'.
Recommendations, which the Trust hoped would lead to improved procedures, tools and techniques, included conducting a study of the availability and uptake of sight tests among people with dementia and the development of education and training for optometrists and care home staff.
Endorsing the need for action, TPT chief executive Ron Bramley said: 'The implications of having both dementia and sight loss are under-researched and too often ignored, but we believe that discussions at today's national conference will help to change that.'
A statement from the TPT said that the College of Optometrists' guidelines published in August 2010 entitled Examining the patient with dementia or other acquired cognitive impairment went some way to addressing the needs of dementia sufferers. However, it added that there was 'still a long way to go in terms of improving the provision of eye care services and optimising the visual health of this group.'