Kanush Singh
Research Mentor: David Fresco
Mentor Department: Psychiatry, Medicine
Author(s): Kanush Singh, David Fresco, Jessica Stout, Meghan Mak
Session: Session 6 (3:00 PM – 3:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 29
Abstract
Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs) are a diverse group of genetic disorders that can start in childhood and progressively degenerate into complete blindness. Many people suffer from blindness or low vision, and patients with IRDs often experience increased distress and depression related to the worsening of their condition. In my analysis of the overall study, the goal will be to understand distress, depression, and vision-related disabilities caused by IRDs in adults and adolescents. Using data from both legs of the study, AIM 1 and AIM 2, the impacts on IRDs will be explored. In AIM 1, it will look to understand vision-related disabilities and distress, like anxiety and depression, in patients with IRDs. Patients aged 13 years and above will participate in phone interviews, during which they will complete questionnaires to capture and quantify specific disabilities. In AIM 2, it will look to optimize low vision rehabilitation in emotionally distressed patients with IRDs. Patients are divided into 3 groups, all of which undergo low-vision rehabilitation using various assistive devices and mobility training. The first group will not receive emotional rehabilitation therapy (ERT). The second and third groups have higher vision-related anxiety compared to group one and will get ERT at different points in time, along with the devices. This will help determine whether adding ERT is helpful. Through these studies and further analysis, the impact of IRDs will be understood.
