Prescription Of Low Vision Aids Research Articles

Prospective study to evaluate the effectivity and acceptance of optical low vision AIDS

Prospective study to evaluate the effectivity and acceptance of optical low vision AIDS - IJCEO- Print ISSN No: - 2395-1443 Online ISSN No:- 2395-1451 Article DOI No:- 10.18231/j.ijceo.2019.102, Indian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology-Indian J Clin Exp Ophthalmol

Is the Patient Record Sufficient for Prescribing Low-Vision Magnification Aids or Is a Consultation in a Low-Vision Clinic Required?

Many visually impaired and blind patients regain reading ability by using magnification aids. They are tested and prescribed in a time-intensive consultation at our low-vision clinic. Thus, the question arises if it is possible to automate the selection and prescription of low-vision aids only on the basis of the patients' records. The following parameters were extracted from the database of medical records from the low-vision clinic between 2001 and 2006: diagnosis, visual acuity, magnification need, prescribed low-vision aid and prescription request. The prescriptions (optic magnifiers, electronic magnifiers and closed-circuit television) were predicted by statistical models and compared with the real prescription. The database research provided the records of 1203 patients. Sixty-four percent were female and the median age was 80 years. The prescriptions consisted of 29% closed-circuit televisions, 11% electronic magnifiers, 34% optic magnifiers and 26% other aids or no aids. Overall, the statistically predicted prescription matched the real prescription of the magnification aids in only 73% of the cases. The magnification need was the most significant statistical factor. The reliability of an automated prescription of low-vision magnification aids on the basis of the patient record was not sufficient to implement this in the standard clinical process. Thus, an individual and personal consultation with detailed testing of magnification aids is important. In addition to the prescription of low-vision magnification aids, a psycho-social consultation is also provided in a low-vision clinic.

Low Vision Assessment and Rehabilitation

Low vision and blindness are a growing health problem that adversely affects the quality of life of an individual. Low vision rehabilitation (LVR) is the process of restoring functional ability and improving quality of life and independence of a patient with low vision. Currently India is a home to around one-third to one-fourth of the world’s blind population. Lack of awareness about the low vision services are a major drawback in the rehabilitation of a low vision patient in our country. Thus, in this article we discuss about the methods of evaluation of a patient with low-vision and prescription of low vision aids.

Requirements for low vision magnification aids in age-related macular degeneration: Data from the Tübingen low vision clinic (comparison of 2007-2011 with 1999-2005)

The purpose of this study was to investigate if there has been a change in requirements for low vision magnification aids in recent years. The collective data from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients from the Tübingen low vision clinic from the years 2007-2011 were compared with the patient collective from the years 1999-2005. Magnification needs and the prescribed magnifying aids for reading in the categories magnifying spectacles, hand-held magnifiers, monocular telescopes, electronic magnifiers and electronic reading devices were evaluated. In addition patients from 2010 and 2011 were divided into dry and neovascular AMD and the prescribed magnification aids were compared for these AMD forms. There was no significant change in in the prescribed magnification reading aids for AMD patients between the years 1999-2005 and 2007-2011. An electronic magnifier was prescribed most often (both collectives 43 %), followed by hand-held magnifiers (32 and 29.5 %, respectively) and magnifying spectacles (17 and 18.8 %, respectively). Also the magnifying needs and mean age of the AMD patients did not change significantly between the two periods (2007-2011 versus 1999-2005). The detailed analysis for dry and neovascular AMD for the years 2010 and 2011 showed no significant differences for the most commonly prescribed low vision aids. The prescription of low vision aids is not influenced by the AMD classification (dry or neovascular), only by the magnification needs. There is an unchanged and still high demand for rehabilitation aids of AMD patients, for dry as well as for neovascular AMD even after the introduction of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy.

Reabilitação visual em pacientes com retinose pigmentária

To determine which low-vision aids could be useful to patients with retinitis pigmentosa and also the benefits that the rehabilitation program could provide based on visual acuity and/or daily visual tasks. A group of 30 patients with retinitis pigmentosa aged from 7 to 73 years were enrolled in this study. Visual acuity and visual function tests (visual field, full-field electroretinogram) was performed and low-vision aids tested. Information about the use of the remaining vision was obtained. After choosing the best optical or electronic devices and before their prescription, a low-vision training program was carried out. The best corrected visual acuity varied from HM (hand movements) to 20/40 for distance and visual acuity better than 16M to 0.5M for near. 90% of the patients had optical devices prescribed: 13 for near, 9 for distance, 2 electronic devices and 3 filters. Three patients with extremely narrow visual field and very low visual acuity were referred to orientation and mobility. The low-vision aids were useful for the retinitis pigmentosa patients: telescopes, hand-held magnifiers, stand magnifiers, half-eye base-in prism lenses, electronic devices and illumination control were beneficial to enhance visual acuity and visual efficiency. The prescription of low-vision aids was helpful in daily-life activities and a high level of satisfaction with the implemented visual rehabilitation program was reported.

Optometric and Multidisciplinary Approaches in Prescribing Low Vision Aids

Introduction: It is expected that the number of visually impaired elderly will increase dramatically over the next decades. This will result in more ophthalmic consultations and an increased demand on visual rehabilitation. In the Netherlands there seem to be great differences in optometric and multidisciplinary approaches in prescribing low vision aids. Purpose: To describe possible differences between optometric and multidisciplinary approaches in their prescription of low vision aids. Methods: A non-randomised prospective cohort study among elderly > 50 years of age in the Netherlands to compare the number and type of prescribed low vision aids by optometric and multidisciplinary services and the relation of these aids to characteristics such as visual acuity and age. This study is part of a large ongoing study in the Netherlands on the outcome on the quality of life of visually impaired elderly of rehabilitation. Results: Optometric services prescribed significantly more low vision aids per patient (m...

Nutzung und Akzeptanz von vergrößernden Sehhilfen

Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Untersuchung der Akzeptanz von verordneten vergrößernden Sehhilfen unter Berücksichtigung der der Sehminderung zugrunde liegenden Augenerkrankung und die Beurteilung der Sehschärfe im Jahr nach Verordnung. Methode: Ein Fragebogen wurde an 576 Patienten verschickt, denen 1998 in der Ophthalmologischen Rehabilitation der Univ.-Augenklinik Heidelberg eine vergrößernde Sehhilfe verordnet worden war. Wir erfragten die subjektive Zufriedenheit mit der Sehhilfe sowie mit der Behandlung insgesamt. Zusätzlich korrelierten wir die Art der Sehhilfe mit Grunderkrankung und Sehschärfe. Außerdem ermittelten wir, ob eine zusätzliche Funktionsverschlechterung zu Problemen mit der Sehhilfe führte. Ergebnisse: 301 Fragebogen wurden zurückgesandt (52 %). Dabei wurde eine hohe Zufriedenheit mit der Beratung sowie der Sehhilfe angegeben (> 90 %). 57 % der Patienten benutzten die optische Sehhilfe mehr als fünfmal täglich - hauptsächlich zum Lesen und Schreiben (74 % bzw. 78 %). 20 Patienten waren allerdings nicht mehr in der Lage, mit ihrer Sehhilfe zu lesen. Bei der Art der benutzten Sehhilfe zeigte sich, dass die meisten Patienten mit altersabhängiger Makuladegeneration mit Lupen versorgt waren (30 %). 30 % der Patienten, die mit einem Bildschirmlesegerät versorgt waren (43 %; Sehschärfe 0,02 bis 0,3), benutzten dieses täglich. Schlussfolgerung: Die Mehrheit der Sehbehinderten ist mit der Verordnung von vergrößernden Sehhilfen sehr zufrieden und benutzt diese regelmäßig. Die adäquate Sehhilfe ist der wesentliche Faktor zum Erhalt der Lebensqualität und damit der Selbständigkeit. Jedoch sind infolge möglicher weiterer Funktionsverschlechterungen regelmäßige Kontrolluntersuchungen angezeigt. Durch eine rechtzeitige Verordnung von Bildschirmlesegeräten kann die Lesefähigkeit oft erhalten werden. Dies sollte bei der Behandlung von Sehbehinderten vom Augenarzt berücksichtigt werden.

An Evaluation of the Adelaide Low Vision Clinic Service, 1978

The value of a Low Vision Clinic is seen as extending beyond the prescription of low vision aids. An evaluation of the Adelaide Low Vision Clinic which opened in 1978 is presented in terms of diagnostic categories seen, current service provision and consumer reaction to service, together with consideration of the means by which comprehensive service can be provided without removing low vision persons from the care of individual referring practitioners. The value of a Low Vision Clinic team is emphasized, also the specific contribution which individual team members can make to a low vision service which is seen as seeking not to replace existing medical or rehabilitation facilities but rather to provide a rational entry point for a range of community based services not at present readily available to low vision persons. An evaluation of the Low Vision Clinic objectives is outlined, together with constraints which can limit the effectiveness of the service provided.