Published in

BMJ Publishing Group, British Journal of Ophthalmology, 4(97), p. 487-491

DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2012-302416

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Effectiveness of the community-based Low Vision Service Wales: A long-term outcome study

Journal article published in 2013 by Barbara Ryan, Jyoti Khadka, Catey Bunce ORCID, Helen Jane Court
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the community-based Low Vision Service Wales (LVSW). Methods: A long-term observational study of the Government-funded, community-based, low-vision rehabilitation service which operates in over 180 optometry practices in Wales. Participants were recruited from the LVSW (n=342; 246 women; median age 82 years) at baseline (before the Low Vision intervention). The primary outcome measure was change in visual disability as evaluated by the seven-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ). Change was measured on the same cohort at three separate time points, and comparisons were made between these: baseline–3 months; 3–18 months; baseline–18 months. Secondary outcome measures included: use of low-vision aids (LVAs) and satisfaction with the service provided. Results: Questionnaires were sent to 281 participants (whose visual disability had been measured at baseline and 3 months) at 18 months postintervention. Responses were received from 190 (67.6%) people; 24 were deceased. Self-reported visual disability was significantly reduced (Wilcoxon Signed Rank (WSR) test: p