Establishing Low Vision Services in a Tertiary Eye Care Institute

Abstract

The low vision services are provided by specially trained optometrists and ophthalmologists and include a thorough eye examination, evaluation of remaining vision and the prescription of optical devices/non optical device, such as high powered spectacles and magnifiers, to enhance the images that one can see. Low vision care can be provided in hospitals, clinics, vision rehabilitation organizations and teaching institutions. Each will have to identify the level of low vision service they have to provide. These low vision services can be offered at Primary level, Secondary level and Tertiary level. Community-based workers or any eye care professional that can identify and refer people with low vision to low vision service center should do the primary level. Secondary level services can be done at district level, which can include the basic low vision trial set, which will cater to most basic needs of the patients. Tertiary level services will include the team of highly skilled professionals and an advanced developed low vision care center.