Study on information patients with vision impairment receive from ophthalmologists in Japan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether people with visual impairment in Japan are provided with useful information by their ophthalmologist while being notified of their disability, and what information is needed by these individuals upon being diagnosed. An analysis of the responses from 197 respondents revealed that only 30.45% had been provided information by their ophthalmologist upon being diagnosed, while 69.55% patients were not provided any information. When asked about the form of media they used to receive information, the most frequently used was the internet (16.68%). As web accessibility is not sufficient in Japan, making information media accessible to the visually impaired is a challenge. Finally, when asked about the type of information they would like to be provided, the most common answer was information about peer support. This suggests that ophthalmologists are expected to (1) understand the needs of the visually impaired and (2) provide information appropriately and promptly.