Need of optical aids for schools for blind students in Pune and Nasik districts and compliance of their use

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To assess the need for spectacles and low?vision aids (LVA) in students attending schools for the blind and study their compliance with use. Methods: Comprehensive ocular evaluation was performed using a hand?held slit lamp and ophthalmoscope. Vision acuity was measured using a logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) chart for distance, as well as for near. Spectacles and LVAs were dispensed after refraction and LVA trial. Follow?up was performed to assess the vision using the LV Prasad Functional Vision Questionnaire (LVP?FVQ) along with compliance with use after 6 months. Results: Of the 456 students examined from six schools, 188 (41.2%) were female; 147 (32.2%) were <10 years of age. In all, 362 (79.4%) were blind since birth. The students dispensed only LVAs were 25 (5.5%), only spectacles were 55 (12.1%), and both spectacle and LVAs were 10 (2.2%). The vision improved using LVAs in 26 (5.7%) and using spectacles in 64 (9.6%). There was a significant improvement in LVP?FVQ scores (P < 0.001). Also, 68/90 students were available for follow?up, of whom 43 (63.2%) were compliant to use. Causes of not wearing spectacles or LVA in 25 were left somewhere or lost 13 (52%), broken 3 (12%), uncomfortable to use 6 (24%), not interested to use 2 (8%), and got operated 1 (4%). Conclusion: Although the dispensing of LVA and spectacles improved the visual acuity and vision function of 90/456 (19.7%) students, nearly a third were not using them after 6 months. Efforts need to be taken to improve the compliance of use