Abstract
Purpose :
Several studies have examined the multifactorial decision process around the use of assistive technologies (ATs). The majority have been conducted in disabilities other than visual impairment, or with ATs that are not head-mounted devices (HMDs). Little is known about why some device users experience HMDs, such as eSight Eyewear, as a success while others decide not to use them in the long-term. The goal of this study was to identify which factors predict a change in device use among current eSight owners, in order to tailor rehabilitation interventions that can reduce device abandonment.
Methods :
Using a cross-sectional design, participants were recruited from 567 eSight Eyewear owners to complete a 45-min survey online consisting of 94 questions that were adopted from two standardized questionnaires as well as some items developed for this study. The survey items were classified into four families: personal, device-related, environmental and interventional. Using current device use/non-use as a binary outcome, logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the variables that most comprehensively predicted the highest percentage of variance in eSight use.
Results :
The 109 (19.2%) respondents with complete data had a mean age of 47.7 years (SD=25.4, range: 9-96), 61 (54%) were females, 79 (73%) resided in the USA, 51% self-reported a central, 6% a peripheral and 45% a general visual impairment. The final four regression model alternatives accounted for 84.7%, 68.7%, 83.7% and 64.7% (Nagelkerke’s pseudo R2) of the variance in eSight use, respectively. The most consistently predictive variables of increased use across models were higher scores on the Psychological Impact of Assistive Devices Scale, the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology scale, and those who reported the absence of headaches while utilizing eSight Eyewear.
Conclusions :
None of the traditionally available clinical variables, such as patient demographics, ocular or general health information, or low vision rehabilitation experience were predictive of abandoning eSight Eyewear. However, the administration of standardized device impact questionnaires appears to provide relevant information. Such measures may be able to identify device users that could benefit from individualized attention during device training and low vision rehabilitation provision in order to reduce the probability of device abandonment.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.