Patient Understanding in Low Vision: Pre and Post Examination

Background:  Patient understanding of his or her diagnosis is one of the first steps to successful vision rehabilitation (1). In addition, patient awareness of resources or self-identification of having “low vision” may also limit a patient’s choice to pursue low vision rehabilitation (2). Quality of Life Questionnaires have been administered to patients to assess the benefits of administration of low vision services and have shown an improvement (3).  This pilot study was performed to identify awareness and understanding of vision loss and resources, comparing responses before and after their exams.

Methods: A questionnaire was given to new patients in low vision clinics pre and post low vision exam in an urban setting. Questions related to understanding of diagnosis, understanding of low vision and available rehabilitation services.

Results /Outcomes: In general, patients reported an increase in understanding of their condition, an increase awareness of services and available devices and almost all participating patients would recommend someone with low vision pursue a low vision exam.

Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates the fact that many low vision patients require further education on their condition as well as available resources for their visual impairment.  It also demonstrated that intervention with a low vision exam may help to increase patient understanding of their visual impairments as well as understanding what assistive devices and resources are available those with visual impairments.