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Purpose: To adapt an existing validated quality of life instrument, the Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) questionnaire for Pacific Island countries. Methods: Following in-depth interviews (n = 24) and a pilot study (n = 67), the original 32-item IVI questionnaire was translated and adapted in Vanuatu. The Melanesian IVI (IVI_M) was administered to participants not previously involved in the pilot study (n = 189). Results: Participants included 117 (62%) with mild, moderate or severe vision impairment, 39 with unilateral loss and 33 with normal vision. Eighty-six percent of the original 32-items were deemed relevant by 90% of participants. Items displaying floor effects were removed (4), 2 were combined and 3 items rephrased to reflect Melanesian-specific activities, resulting in a 23-item IVI_M. Nineteen items were relevant to both the Melanesian and Australian contexts including all 8 items related to the emotional reaction to vision loss. IVI_M demonstrated content and construct validity, reliability and discriminated visually healthy populations from those with vision impairment. Vision impairment of < 6/18 negatively effected quality of life. Conclusion: While the adaptation process demonstrated the need for culturally relevant instruments, it also highlighted the value of adapting existing validated instrument for use in cross-cultural research rather than developing a new instrument from first principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the embodied nature of international migration. It presents transnational practices of Irish immigrants in Australia including homesickness, distance, and relationship ties. It says that the whiteness and accent play roles in the citizenship and belonging. It states that homesickness of immigrants testifies to the embodied nature of migration experience. It asserts that distance between bodies needs to be recognized as one of the factors of transnational practices.

The aim of the present paper is to assess the practical utility of the most common print resources used by practitioners in the management of ocular emergencies. Ten print resources were identified for review (three specialty eye texts, six general emergency medicine texts and one general practice text). The main outcome measures used were the extent a text matched crucial skills criteria in clinical assessment and treatment, and usability. No single print resource addressed all criteria. Red flag systems for clinical assessment and ease of navigation were the best match areas. Only one text inadequately stressed red flag conditions and one text was not ranked as easy to navigate. All texts made assumptions regarding the knowledge/skill level of practitioners, particularly in relation to eye examination procedures and treatment. Photographs ranged in number from 8 to 1500; 3/10 texts provided no photographs. Five texts included detailed instructions on the indications and urgency of referral and follow up for all conditions covered. The remainder lacked details. Only one text used the Australasian Triage Scale. Three texts included photographs/diagrams and instructions for the slit lamp and ophthalmoscope. None covered all procedures specified in the criteria. Only two reflected drug current practice in Australia and provided adequate details on usage. A single comprehensive reference (print and/or web-based) for dealing with ocular emergencies in Australia is clearly needed. Additionally, training and confidence levels of eye care providers must be addressed so that the risk of misdiagnosis and mismanagement of eye emergencies is reduced., (© 2011 The Authors. EMA © 2011 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine.)

Purpose: Children and youth with vision impairment face a lifetime of vision-related costs. This paper examines the little-known personal costs incurred in these early years., Methods: Case studies of three children and one youth with vision impairment were extracted from a larger, diary-based prospective study of the personal expenditure of people with vision impairment. Diaries were maintained over a 12 month period and expenditure and resource utilization were recorded under four main headings: medicines, products and equipment; health and community services; informal care and support; and other expenses., Results: The scale of direct and indirect costs incurred differed by age at onset and duration of vision impairment. The highest personal costs were accrued for equipment. Informal care and support accounted for the highest indirect costs listed. Reliance on family meant that opportunity costs of relatives rather than out-of-pocket personal costs applied. Assistance from family members was consistently required in relation to transport, personal affairs, and reading-related tasks. Minimal costs were recorded for medicines. Usage of low vision services was commonplace, reflecting the cost-free availability of low vision rehabilitation and support services for children and youths in Australia., Conclusions: This exploratory study draws attention to the complexity of factors that need to be considered when calculating the personal costs of vision impairment. Cross case comparisons showed that some personal costs were recurrent, others sporadic or once-off. By highlighting the role that age, onset and duration of vision loss, life/educational stage and lifestyle played in differentiating costs between case study participants, these diaries represent important formative work that can guide future research in this area.