Abstract:
This research is a mixed-method research was to study 1) the conceptual basis and characteristics of wisdom and natural ways in eye care used in the Thai elderly group 2) the situation of vision health and eye care, and apply wisdom and natural ways to eye care for the elderly in the community 3) analyze the internal and external factors of wisdom and natural ways in eye care among the Thai elderly 4) Recommend innovations in eye care by applying wisdom and natural ways for the health of the elderly's vision. For qualitative method: key informants included 89 community philosophers, selected using a purposive sampling technique. The research tool was a well-structured in-depth interview form. Data was analyzed with content analysis. The reliability of the data was examined using the triangular method. According to quantitative method: the sample consisted of 407 elderly obtained through multistage random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires and a visual health record form. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and statistical analysis of the chi-square correlation coefficient. Suggestions for alternative ways to apply the wisdom to maintain the visual health of the elderly, and related agencies were obtained from analysis of the association of the data on the eye healths situation of the elderly and the results of analyzing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) for applying wisdom to take care of eye care visual health, in line with strategies from the SWOT matrix. It was found that: 1) The highly trusted wisdom in eye care is skin pricking (Bong Tor), herbal therapy (eating, toe compresses, eye compresses), meditation therapy for eye health, and facial and head massage for eye health. The benefits of these wisdoms are 4 aspects: stimulating blood circulation, nourishing the eyes and increasing the immunity of the eyes, relaxing the eye muscles, and slowing down the deterioration of the eyes. By skin pricking (Bong Tor), herbal therapy (eating, toe compresses), facial and head massage for eye health, and meditation therapy for eye health, the main benefit is to stimulate blood circulation. As for herbal therapy (eye compresses), the main benefit is to nourish the eyes, increase the immunity of the eyes, relax the eye muscles, and all wisdoms have the benefit of slowing down the deterioration of the eyes. 2) The elderly's vision health is at a high level (68.30 percent). Elderly people with naked eyes have more problems with near vision than far vision and the most visual impairment is blurred vision. Eye care has the highest level of vision rehabilitation behavior (51.1%). The most frequent environmental exposure that affects vision is looking at computer screens, smartphones, tablets, and televisions for more than 20 minutes at a time (55.50%). Factors affecting the elderly's naked eyes include looking at computer screens, smartphones, tablets, and televisions for more than 20 minutes at a time, exposure to cigarette smoke, exhaust pipes, combustion, exposure to chemicals, insecticides, and not wearing glasses or wide-brimmed hats to protect against light and foreign objects entering the eyes. The risk was found to be 1.588 (1.033-2.441), 1.688 (1.139-2.501), and 1.828 (1.205-2.772), respectively. 3) Factor of wisdom 3.1) Internal factor of wisdom of using wisdom and natural methods for eye care consists of 3.1.1) Strengths: Wisdom has been passed down from the past to the present. The steps of using wisdom are not complicated. It does not require high-level technology. There are experts in using wisdom, Thai traditional medicine healers and folk healers living in their own community and nearby communities. The cost of using wisdom is not high. 3.1.2) Weaknesses: The transfer of wisdom for eye care is conditional on the qualifications of the inheritor. It can alleviate eye health problems only for uncomplicated symptoms, such as red eyes and eye pain. The use of the same wisdom has differences in the prayer verses, steps, and equipment used. 3.2) External factor of wisdom of using wisdom and natural methods for eye care, 3.2.1) Opportunities for developing the use of wisdom for eye care are: Wisdom is passed down outside the family group. Wisdom for eye care is used and shared about the wisdom for eye care by people in the community. 3.2.2) Obstacles to developing the use of wisdom for eye care are: no support from medical staff. 4) Innovation in eye care by applying wisdom and natural methods for good vision health for the elderly and their families. The innovations to promote eye health should be used, including 3 innovations: 4.1) Stimulating blood circulation, 4.2) Nourishing the eyes to increase immunity of the eyes, and 4.3) Relaxing the eye muscles. Because the 3 innovations have benefits that are interconnected and jointly affect the slowing down of eye cell degeneration, which can prolong the onset of eye diseases caused by age-related degeneration. There are suggestions for main options for eye care in 6 areas: personnel development, knowledge development, service system development, research studies, academic services, and the creation of cooperation networks. Suggestions for applying research results to the elderly to have good vision should use wisdom with innovation in all 3 aspects: 1) Innovation in eye care by stimulating blood circulation, 2) Innovation in eye care by nourishing the eyes and increasing the immunity of the eyes, and 3) Innovation in eye care by relaxing the eye muscles. To slow down the deterioration of eye cells, avoid looking at computer screens, smartphones, tablets, and televisions for more than 20 minutes at a time, or reduce the intensity of the screen light, select a mode that protects the eyes, avoid exposure to smoke from cigarettes, exhaust pipes, combustion, and foreign objects in the eyes, and use glasses or magnifying glasses. Activities that should be carried out for the elderly include organizing training to provide knowledge about eye diseases in the elderly, the environment that affects the occurrence of eye diseases, using activities that apply the benefits of wisdom that helps stimulate blood circulation, eye care activities to increase the immunity of the eyes, and eye muscle relaxation activities to help care for the eyes that are appropriate for vision problems, and developing self-assessment skills for vision at home so that the elderly are aware of the importance of the eyes and can detect abnormalities, bring themselves into the treatment process quickly, and reduce vision loss. Academic agencies or institutes, professional agencies, public health service units, local administrative organizations should use the strategic plan. Consider planning the use of wisdom in eye care according to the agency's missions, such as personnel development, knowledge development, service system development, research, academic services, and the creation of cooperation networks.