The low vision distance telescope—how useful an aid?

Abstract

It is axiomatic that success in the use of any low vision aid depends largely upon the user's qualities of adaptability and skill. Distance telescopic aids, in particular, produce images with characteristics that are especially demanding of these qualities. Although patients appear largely content to accept their distance telescopes, a survey of individual successes and failures has not been reported. In the low vision service at University Hospital, Nottingham, 2695 patients were examined over a nine year period (January 1987–December 1995). Of these, 142 patients (5.3%) were supplied with distance telescopes. This sample consisted of 83 males and 59 females. The age range was between 9–91 years. A total of 9 patients had returned their telescopes because they no longer needed them. The remaining 133 patients were mailed a pilot questionnaire, aimed at evaluating their use of the telescope. Respondents to this were mailed a second, more detailed questionnaire, designed to examine in greater detail the individual's use of the appliance, their satisfaction with its performance etc. A total of 74/133 patients (56%) returned detailed questionnaires completed with quantifiable information. Statistical analysis showed: 1. Patients who found the telescopes easiest to use tended to use them most frequently 2. Monocularity tended to become commoner with age But, adaptability and skill did not appear significantly compromised by: 3. Increasing age 4. Monocularity/binocularity status. Fuller details of the results of this survey will be given in the poster.