Low Vision Mapping

Jill Keeffe and Peggy Chiang

Aims of study • To understand the current situation of low vision services

throughout the world (What, where, who, and how services are delivered)

• Identify the critical success factors associated with coverage of low vision services (key attributes that ensure comprehensive low vision service coverage)

• This research will be used to inform the WHO Low Vision Working Group and Vision 2020 (provide priority areas to ensure comprehensive coverage)

Surveythemes

Human resources

Location of services

Type of low vision service provision

Equipment• Devices available as part of low vision services- 88%(84/95)

• Supply source of affordable low vision devices- 65% (55/84)

• Reasons that individuals do not obtain low vision devices:

Funding of low vision services

Barriers to access

Other: lack of awareness, lack of services, poor referral pathways, logistics

Groups of people most likely to miss out on services

Low vision service coverage

No information No services provided≤10%11-50%>50%

80% of countries have ≤10% coverage

80% of countries have ≤10% coverage

Critical factors

Summary

Funding - lobbying the government for ownership, funding mix, national budget & insurance to include low vision (example Cameroon vs. India)

Rehabilitation workers – primary level care i.e. outreach & community based rehabilitation services by mid level ophthalmic personnel, HR training, task shifting

Access - government awareness & acceptance, intervention timing, social welfare services, community & family support,

Multidisciplinary services – clinical, education, rehabilitation, comprehensive services integrated with government and other existing services, integration of low vision curriculum into ophthalmic personnel training

External contextual factors – government policy, distribution of resources in urban and rural settings, appropriateness of intervention

Mapping national services

• Prevalence in adults from surveys• Children: WHO estimates using <5MR• Number of HR by cadre – clinical and

rehabilitation• Availability of range of devices• Under-served groups