Low vision AIDS provision for visually impaired Egyptian patients - a clinical outcome

Purpose: To evaluate a low vision rehabilitation service implemented for heterogeneously diverse group of Egyptian patients with vision loss in terms of improving their visual performance and fulfilling their visual needs. Methods: Fifty patients with low vision were included in a prospective study. History taking; ophthalmic examination and evaluation of the visual functions were performed for all patients. The required magnification was calculated; and subsequently a low vision aid was chosen after counseling with patients. Low vision aids were tried in office; followedby a period of training before patients received their own low vision aids. Follow up was done for 6 months. Results: All patients who were referred to the low vision unit were not satisfied with their current spectacles or low vision aids. After training and prescription of suitable LVAs; the improvement in distance and near visual acuity wasstatistically significant (p0.001). Fifty-six per cent of the patients (nof the patients (n=27) could discern N8 print size or better. The most commonly used aids were high powered near adds. Despite the complaints about the appearance and use of LVAs; 76of the patients reported being moderately to highly-satisfied with their aids. Conclusions: The significant improvement in the visual performance of patients with low vision after the prescriptionand training on the use of LVAs; associated with patients' satisfaction; confirms the importance of expanding low vision rehabilitative services and increasing the public awareness of its existence and benefits

Causes of Low Vision in Sudan: a Study among the Attendees of Blind Centres in Khartoum

Aims: This study primarily aimed to provide demographic information about the low vision in the blind center at Khartoum state. The objectives were to indicate the main causes of low vision and to show the effect of these causes on the visual functions and mobility among a sample group. Methods: Clinical investigations were performed for visually impaired sample (171 subjects) from Sudan National Association of the Blind and Elnur Institute. Functional tests included; visual acuity (log MAR); contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson); colour vision (colour vision test made easy); confrontation and Amsler tests; structural inspection of anterior eye and interior eye; refraction; assessment of low vision devices; and observation of mobility. Results: The results revealed that 39.7of subjects in blind centers had low vision which can be improved with proper low vision aids. Significant deficiencies were found for all visual functions. The trend of causes is similar to that found in most developing countries. Statistically all causes had similar effect on visual functions. Mobility had provided good indictor differentiating functional vision from a non-useful residual vision in the blinds. Conclusions: There is a great need for the ophthalmologists and optometrists to be aware about the causes; functional effects of low vision in the population; and the possibility of improving vision with the help of low vision devices to a satisfactory level

Prevalence and causes of blindness in the Congo

A population-based survey on the prevalence of blindness and eye disease has been conducted throughout the Congo. This was the first time such a survey had been carried out in a central African country with an equatorial climate. In comparison with data available from other African countries, the two rather unexpected characteristics resulting from the survey were lower blindness prevalence rates and the extremely rare cases of bilateral corneal scarring. In accordance with sampling procedures recommended by the WHO Programme for the Prevention of Blindness, 7041 people were selected and examined. The prevalence of blindness (visual acuity less than 3/60 in the better eye) was 0.3% (5700 people). The prevalence of low vision (visual acuity between 6/24 and 3/60 in the better eye) was 2.1% (40,000 people). The major causes of blindness and low vision were cataract (81% and 80%, respectively) and glaucoma (9% and 3.4%, respectively). A total of 22,000 people in the Congo require cataract surgery. Almost four-fifths of the current burden of blindness in this country is potentially curable through the provision of cataract surgery and aphakic glasses