Vision improvement with low vision aids and functional vision assessment among children studying in schools for the blind in North-East India
Abstract
Background: The study aimed to assess the vision improvement with low vision aids (LVA) and functional vision among children learning in schools for the blind in North-East India.
Material and methods: 515 students from 17 blind schools of North-East India were recruited. The comprehensive ocular examination, functional vision assessment, and vision assessment using LVA were carried out for all the subjects after determining the magnification required for each subject.
Results: Of 515 children, 124 required LVA. Spectacle magnifiers were the most preferred (73 students, 58.87%), followed by magnifiers (50 students, 40.32%). A statistically significant improvement in the mean visual acuity was noted after the use of LVA (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: A detailed assessment of low vision prior to admission to schools should be made mandatory in blind schools. These schools would be able to cater to really blind children, while children with low vision could attend regular schools.
Keywords: blind schoollow vision aidsfunctional vision
References
- World Health Organization. Global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness. WHO/PBL/97.61. WHO, Geneva 1997.
- Stelmack JA, Stelmack TR, Massof RW. Measuring low-vision rehabilitation outcomes with the NEI VFQ-25. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002; 43(9): 2859–2868.
- Coding instructions for the WHO/PBL eye examination record (version III). 1998. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/67896.
- Coding Instructions. WHO/PBL eye examination record for children with blindness and low vision. ICEH, London .
- Margrain TH. Helping blind and partially sighted people to read: the effectiveness of low vision aids. Br J Ophthalmol. 2000; 84(8): 919–921.
- Rudduck G, Corcoran H, Davies K. Developing an integrated paediatric low vision service. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2004; 24(4): 323–326.
- Pal N, Titiyal JS, Tandon R, et al. Need for optical and low vision services for children in schools for the blind in North India. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2006; 54(3): 189–193.
- Kansakar I, Thapa HB, Salma KC, et al. Causes of vision impairment and assessment of need for low vision services for students of blind schools in Nepal. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ). 2009; 7(25): 44–49.
- Wilkinson ME, Stewart IW, Trantham CS, et al. Iowa's pediatric low vision services. J Am Optom Assoc. 1996; 67(7): 397–402.
- DeCarlo DK, Nowakowski R. Causes of visual impairment among children at the Alabama School for the Blind. J Am Optom Assoc. 1999; 70: 647–52.