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At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Providing low vision rehabilitation services with occupational therapy and ophthalmology: a program description.

This article describes a low vision rehabilitation program operating within a hospital-based outpatient rehabilitation clinic. The program uses a team approach combining ophthalmology and occupational therapy services. Patients are referred to the program by their primary care physician for a low vision evaluation completed jointly by the ophthalmologist and occupational therapist. The ophthalmology portion of the evaluation includes assessment of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity function, and macular perimetry with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The occupational therapy evaluation focuses on assessing the functional limitations experienced by the patient due to the vision loss and determining how the patient is best able to use remaining vision to complete daily activities. Occupational therapy treatment emphasizes training the patient to use remaining vision as efficiently and effectively as possible to complete daily activities and includes training in use of optical devices. Because of the specialized nature of the service provided, additional postgraduate preparation is needed to enable occupational therapists to provide effective low vision rehabilitation.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

[Low vision aids for reading in scar stage of age-related macular degeneration].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the inter-relationship among near visual acuity, eccentricity of preferred retinal locus(PRL), and choice of low vision aids for reading in patients with bilateral age-related macular degeneration(AMD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The preferred eye of 44 patients having bilateral disciform stage AMD was examined. The PRL was detected and its eccentricity from the fovea was measured by scanning laser ophthalmoscopic microperimetry. Magnification of a low vision aid for reading newsprint was determined by the critical print size which was calculated using the MNREAD-J. The type of preferred aid was chosen from high-plus lens glasses, magnifiers, and closed-circuit televisions. The inter-relationship among near visual acuity, eccentricity of the PRL, and magnification and type of low vision aid for reading were evaluated. RESULTS: The magnification of the aid was correlated with the eccentricity of PRL in eyes with near visual acuity of 0.2 or less although no correlation was found in eyes with near visual acuity better than 0.3. High plus lens glasses were selected by patients with near visual acuity better than 0.2 and eccentricity of 2 degrees or less. Magnifiers were selected by patients with near visual acuity better than 0.1 and eccentricity of 5 degrees or less. Closed-circuit televisions were selected by patients with near visual acuity of 0.1 or less and eccentricity of 5 degrees or more. CONCLUSION: The eccentricity of PRL should be taken into account in determining low vision aids for reading, especially in patients with near visual acuity of 0.2 or less. Choice of the type of low vision aid depends on not only near visual acuity but also on eccentricity of PRL.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Use and non-use of low vision aids by visually impaired children.

The results of this study indicated that children do use and benefit from low vision aids and that the child's need for near low vision aids can be predicted from their age, unmagnified reading performance, and visual field characteristics. The use of distance monoculars is less easily predicted. However, many visually impaired children both in mainstream special units and in schools for the blind are not being supplied appropriate low vision aids (LVAs). Many have not had an LVA assessment within 1 year and others are experiencing difficulties with LVAs that could be eliminated or reduced.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Low vision and methods of rehabilitation: a comparison between the past and present.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine the clinical effectiveness of optical and video low vision aids (LVA) and analyze the characteristics of the visually impaired at the low vision clinic of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. METHODS: The use of LVA to improve distance and near visual functions was evaluated in 203 new patients from 1998 through 2001 at our clinic. The age, gender, visual status, and primary condition causing low vision of the patients were also compared with data obtained from two different study periods, from 1984 through 1987 and 1991 through 1994. RESULTS: After careful refraction, spectacles only were able to meet both distance and near visual requirements in 21 patients (10.3%), and among them, 3 patients with hemianopsia were further prescribed Fresnel prisms. Of the 121 patients with distance visual requirements, 84 (69.4%) benefited from using telescopes; however, only one additional patient benefited from the addition of a head-mounted device. Of the 136 patients who could not read the newsprint, 118 (86.8%) succeeded in reading newsprint using optical magnifiers, and up to 125 (91.9%) with using the addition of a closed circuit television. Compared with the previous data, the average age of our patients has steadily increased, and the main cause of ocular pathology has changed accordingly. CONCLUSION: Video magnifiers provided suitable rehabilitation for some patients who failed to see clearly using optical magnifiers. However, most of our low vision patients, who have changed during the last decades, can accomplish their desired visual tasks using traditional LVA.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Characteristics of a pediatric low-vision population.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the causes of childhood blindness is important to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies that can reduce the incidence of visual impairment. METHODS: A retrospective survey of the clinical records of 395 consecutive children younger than 14 years of age who were attended by the Low Vision Service of State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) was conducted. Data on the age distribution, the causes of low vision, the types of low vision aids prescribed, the follow up of their use, and improvement in visual acuity were obtained. RESULTS: Congenital bilateral toxoplasmic macular scars, optic atrophy, and congenital cataracts were the major causes of low vision in this population. The optical aid most frequently prescribed was a telescope. The improvement of visual acuity with the use of aids was highly significant.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Low vision services in South Devon: a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary approach.

Since 1994, the Low Vision Service in South Devon has been provided by a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary team. The team comprises of staff from Devon Social Services Sensory Team, Optima Low Vision Services Ltd, Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Manor House, Devon and Torbay Special Education Services and South Devon Healthcare Trust. In the 9 years of operation this service has been independently audited twice for patient satisfaction levels and compliance level in the use of low vision aids (LVAs). The results of the most recent service audit questionnaire reveal a high and constant patient satisfaction level with 92% of patients who answered the question reporting that the service was sufficient to meet their needs. The number of patients who used LVAs at least weekly was 88% of those answering the question. Plans for the future expansion of the service include the further development of interdisciplinary working.

Charities↗

PubMed2005

Prevalence of blindness and low vision in an Italian population: a comparison with other European studies.

AIM: The scientific literature contains recent data on the prevalence of blindness and low vision for a few European countries, but most of these studies have been focused exclusively on the elderly sector of the populations. The purpose of the present study was to provide age-specific estimates of the prevalence and causes of visual loss in an Italian population aged 40 years and over. METHODS: In total, 847 of the 1,200 citizens >40 years of age (70.6%) in the island community of Ponza underwent complete standardized ophthalmological examinations. Visual acuity (VA) was measured using a standard logarithmic chart. World health organization (WHO) definitions of blindness and low vision were adopted (respectively, VA>1.3 logMAR or a visual field <10 degrees around central fixation, and VA >0.5 to 1.3 logMAR or a visual field <20 degrees around central fixation). Prevalence rates based on presenting VAs were also calculated. RESULTS: The overall best-corrected prevalence rates were 0.6% (presenting, 0.8%) for better eye blindness, 2.1% (presenting, 6.7%) for better eye low vision, 1.8% (presenting, 2.6%) for monocular blindness, 5.0% (presenting, 11.2%) for monocular low vision. Cataract, glaucoma, degenerative myopia, and AMD were the main causes of better eye visual loss. CONCLUSION: Age-specific prevalence rates in Ponza are fairly consistent with those for other European countries with similar socio-economic conditions and public healthcare systems. A substantial percentage of visual losses remains uncorrected despite the availability of potentially curative therapy. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on educating the public regarding the importance of good vision.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[An epidemiological survey of low vision and blindness of senile persons in Beixinjing blocks, Shanghai].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the morbidities of low vision and blindness and the leading cause of blindness in residents aged >or= 60 years in Beixinjing blocks, Shanghai. METHODS: The vision archives were first established for total old residents. The pinhole visual acuity was recorded and classified under WHO grading system. Assigned ophthalmologic doctors assured the leading blind causes of every blind person. RESULTS: The response rates in 1994, 1997 and 2000 were 83.87%, 88.32% and 91.98% respectively. The morbidities of low vision and blindness in these 3 years were 3.61% and 1.51%, 2.31% and 1.09%, 1.31% and 0.71% respectively. The leading causes of blindness were degenerative retinopathy (including age-related maculopathy), cataract, corneal diseases and retinal angiopathy (including hypertensive and diabetic retinopathy, retinal artery or venous occlusion, etc). CONCLUSIONS: The morbidities of low vision and blindness in this area decreased from 1994. The leading cause of blindness was degenerative retinopathy.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Reading performance with low vision aids: relationship with contrast sensitivity.

Reading performance and contrast sensitivity were measured in 30 subjects with low vision due to a variety of pathologies. The Pepper test was used to quantify reading rate and accuracy with the subject's own prescribed optical reading low vision aid. It was found that both reading rate and accuracy were repeatable measures. Reading rates were found to be correlated with contrast sensitivity at 0.5 c/deg (r = 0.62). Multiple regression analysis also showed that the best predictor of reading rate was contrast sensitivity at 0.5 c/deg and that no other components of the contrast sensitivity function helped to explain more of the variance. This indicates that primarily low spatial frequencies are necessary for reading with optical low vision aids, as has been found previously for reading with a close circuit TV system.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

A practical guide to low vision management of patients with diabetes.

iabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of low vision and blindness in developed countries. Optometrists have an important role in the detection of diabetic-related eye disease. They are also well-placed to manage patients with reduced vision due to diabetes. In 1998, visual rehabilitation information was analysed from 590 visually impaired patients attending the multidisciplinary Low Vision Clinic at Kooyong in Melbourne, Australia. Diabetes was the primary cause of vision loss in 43 (7.3 per cent) of the patients. This paper investigates the characteristics of these 43 patients and the strategies employed to assist them. In doing so we hope to assist practitioners in managing patients with low vision due to diabetes.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1994

Arabic visual acuity chart for low vision examination.

An Arabic visual acuity chart has been designed for low vision examination, using ten Arabic letters constructed on a 5 x 5 framework. The chart contains seven pages with acuity values ranging from 20/600 to 20/80, corresponding to letter sizes of 26.5-3.5 cm. Interletter spaces were made one-fifth the size of each letter in a row while inter-row spaces were made equal to the height of the letters in the row below. The chart will be useful to eye care practitioners who may wish to use Arabic charts in low vision evaluation.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[An epidemiological survey of blindness and low vision in Hebei Province].

Following the national unified criteria and methods, an epidemiological survey of blindness and low vision was carried out in Hebei Province from April to June, 1987. In 77,948 persons examined, there were 291 cases of bilateral blindness, representing a prevalence of 0.37% (male 0.29%, female 0.45%, urban areas 0.19%, plain areas 0.42%, and mountainous areas 0.36%). The prevalences of monocular blindness, bilateral and monocular low vision were 0.72%, 0.57% and 0.30% respectively. Subjects over 60 years of age had significantly higher prevalences of bilateral blindness and low vision. The chief blinding diseases were cataract, trachoma complications, corneal disease and glaucoma, in order of importance.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1982

Prismatic scanning method for improving visual acuity in patients with low vision.

Frequently, patients with macular lesions and others who are visually handicapped do not receive adequate low vision care by ophthalmologists if a routine trial of low vision aids has no gratifying results. This paper describes for the first time a technique in which functional vision was achieved with the aid of prismatic scanning in patients for whom the usual low vision aids had proved ineffectual. The procedure in which prisms are used to achieve functional vision in patients with macular lesions in uncomplicated, inexpensive, and rapid; indeed, it can be used by an ophthalmologist in routine office practice with existing equipment.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Preferred retinal loci relationship to macular scotomas in a low-vision population.

PURPOSE: The authors identified patterns in preferred retinal locus (PRL) ability and location relative to macular scotomas in a low-vision patient population. METHODS: Scanning laser ophthalmoscope macular perimetry and PRL testing were performed on 825 patients with low vision. The PRL location was determined, and a PRL scoring system was devised and used to measure the pursuit ability, fixation stability, and saccadic ability of the PRL. The characteristics of dense scotomas within 2.5 degrees of the PRL were noted. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent (1130 of 1339 eyes) of the eyes had an established PRL. Preferred retinal loci varied across the full range of ability scores and varied in size for fixation stability from 1.0 degrees to 9.0 degrees in diameter. There was a central dense scotoma in 82.5% of the eyes, whereas 8.4% had a paracentral dense scotoma. In 14.8% of the eyes, the PRL had no dense scotomas on any of its borders; one, two, three, or four (a ring) borders had a dense scotoma in 39.7%, 19.0%, 9.0%, and 17.4% of eyes, respectively. When the PRL had only one scotomatous border, the resulting field defect was located superior in 39.0%, right in 33.7%, left in 19.9%, and inferior in 7.5% of eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with low vision, as many as four of five patients, have dense scotomas encumbering the PRL for visual tasks. Approximately one of six patients with low vision have the PRL completely surrounded by dense scotomas. The visual system shows a strong tendency not to place a PRL anatomically above a scotoma (field defect below fixation) and a weaker tendency not to place the PRL anatomically to the right of a scotoma (field defect to the left of fixation). Macular perimetry and PRL evaluations can provide considerable information on the functional status of the macula, which may be useful to rehabilitation professionals.

Humans↗

PubMed1991

Visual prostheses and visual rehabilitation in low vision research, assessment, and management.

This review is a highly selective and personal viewpoint regarding the past year's publications in low vision clinical practice and clinical research. This article reviews and provides references on selected aspects of low vision technology, reading, pediatric considerations, visual assessment for the multiply handicapped, and the psychosocial aspects of low vision and rehabilitation. We are impressed that the wealth of current publications underscores that this is an important, productive, and growing area of research and clinical activity.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Screening for depression in low-vision elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in older low-vision patients, and to compare GDS scores with the diagnosis of major depression in statistical models examining the interrelationships of vision, depression and disability. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: Community-residing older persons attending the low-vision clinic of Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA. MEASUREMENTS: Geriatric Depression Scale, DSM-III-R Checklist for Depression, Community Disability Scale and Snellen Visual Acuity. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the GDS (GDS = 11) were 63% and 77%, respectively. A receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the GDS's ability to discriminate patients with and without major depression was no better than chance. Although the GDS was limited as a screen for major depression, it was useful in statistical models examining the interrelationships of vision, depression and disability. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms are common among elderly patients with impaired vision attending a low-vision clinic. Although the GDS is unable to discriminate patients with and without major depression in this population, it is valuable as a continuous measure of depressive symptomatology to examine the interrelationships of vision, depression and disability.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Superior haptic perceptual selectivity in late-blind and very-low-vision subjects.

Blindfolded sighted, congenitally blind, late-blind, and very-low-vision subjects were tested on a tangible version of the embedded-figures test. The results of ANOVAs on accuracy measures yielded superior performance by the very-low-vision and late-blind subjects compared with the blindfolded sighted and congenitally blind participants. Accuracy of the congenitally blind subjects was similar to that of the blindfolded sighted participants. However, all groups of blind subjects were significantly faster than the blindfolded sighted subjects. It is suggested that experience with pictures combined with haptic skill aid perceptual selectivity in touch.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence and causes of blindness and low vision in Dambatta local government area, Kano State, Nigeria.

In 1995 a population based cross sectional blindness prevalence survey was conducted in Dambatta local government area (LGA). 3596 people were examined. The prevalence of blindness was 1.14% with 95% confidence limit of (0.8-1.48%). The causes of blindness are cataract 54%, Trachoma 17%, Glaucoma 15%, Corneal opacity 7%, other blinding conditions 7%. The prevalence of low vision was 2.05% with 95% confidence limit (1.60-2.50%). One percent of the population were severely visually impaired (WHO category 2). The causes of low vision are cataract 55%, corneal opacity 14%, uncorrected aphakia 11%, Glaucoma 7%, Refractive error 5%, other conditions 8 percent. Cataract was the leading cause of uniocular blindness with 53%, others were phthisis bulbi 17%, Trauma 14%, corneal opacity 10%, and others 7 percent. Cataract was the single most important cause of blindness, low vision and uniocular blindness accounting for 54%, 55%, and 53%, respectively. Uncorrected aphakia accounted for 11% of the low vision group, 80% of these had couching. This study showed that 93% of the blindness was avoidable in the sense that it could have been primarily prevented or, is treatable. 92% of the causes of low vision are avoidable.

Blindness↗