Akanksha Prasad
Diplomate of National Board
India
Title: Refractive Errors and Management of children with Low Vision in North Indian population
Biography
Biography: Akanksha Prasad
Abstract
PURPOSE: To know acceptance of low vision devices (LVD), taking into account the patient’s adjustment to vision loss. METHODS: In our prospective study, 100 low vision patients including children were assessed at a tertiary eye hospital. The prescription and acceptance of LVD were done for distance and near. RESULTS: Retinal disorders comprised the most common cause affecting 61 patients (61%). Distance vision improved by refractive correction in 48 patients (48%).Out of total 44 patients prescribed LVD for distance, 19 patients (19%) were prescribed handheld telescope. 34 patients (34%) prescribed LVD for near improved to 0.8 M. Another 28 patients (28%) improved to 1 M while 10 patients (10%) improved to 1.6 M. Overall 42 patients (42%) were prescribed Spectacle magnifiers of various powers for near vision. Difference in visual acuity before and after LVD for near was significant (Z=8.658, p=0.00). Overall 72 patients (84.7%) had good acceptance, with low vision device prescribed for near as it improved reading/writing skills.10 patients (11.8%) had moderate acceptance while another 3 patients (3.5%) had poor acceptance. CONCLUSION: It was noted that an accurate refraction can help the patient to improve reading skills for day to day work. We also concluded that even though telescopes are absolute vision enhancers, many patients did not purchase LVD prescribed due to cost factor and cosmesis. Thus, we can conclude that majority of children with low vision had good acceptance of the LVD prescribed as it improved reading and writing skills. Low vision is an important socio-economic burden in this region.