Bringing low-vision assessments and interventions to underserved seniors affected by age-related eye disease

Abstract

General knowledge of eye health and low-vision services is poorly understood by the public, particularly those in underserved and minority communities. A program, funded by the Florida Blue Foundation with leveraged funding from the Peacock Foundation, Inc. and the James Deering Charitable Trust primarily for functional assessment and intervention services, was implemented by the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MLB) over a 3-year period (2016, 2017, and 2018) with three goals: (1) educate community-dwelling seniors about low vision; (2) provide assessment and intervention services to identified seniors living with low vision; and (3) educate healthcare professionals about best practices in serving this population. In this program, community sites serving seniors were identified and educational and screening programs implemented by a low-vision-certified occupational therapist. Seniors with an identified need received low-vision intervention. Pre- and post-program evaluation determined outcomes of educational and interventional services with the seniors. Professional education workshops were implemented annually and evaluated professional learning from low-vision services. This program served 1552 community-dwelling seniors who attended educational sessions on vision health. Participants averaged 76 years and were primarily identified as Hispanic (64%). The Low Vision Independence Measure and the Visual Function Index were used to measure functional performance outcomes. All scores indicated improved performance of functional tasks following the interventions. Three years of annual “Engaging the Low Vision Community Through Education, Research, and Service” workshops (attended by 108 healthcare professionals and students) demonstrated an interest in and improved knowledge of low vision among healthcare professionals and students. The MLB community-based program demonstrated success in increasing knowledge among community-dwelling seniors and healthcare professionals about low vision and the provision of effective low-vision services.