Low vision service provision: a global perspective

Abstract

Changing global population demographics and effective eye care programs are tipping the scale towards an increase in nonpreventable and nontreatable vision disorders that can lead to low vision. Comprehensive low vision services are important to maintain or improve the quality of life of people with low vision. However, globally, coverage and access to services is estimated to be 5–10%. Research regarding the effectiveness of services has emerged in recent decades. This paper provides an overview of the effectiveness of international low vision models of service delivery. It presents a history of service evolution, an overview of the epidemiology of low vision, and a critique of past and present models concluding with a discussion of models of best practice.

Keywords::

• effectiveness
• low vision
• low vision services
• rehabilitation
• service models
• Vision 2020
• vision impairment

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The research was supported by the Australian Government Vision Cooperative Research Centre Program. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.