Patterns and outcomes of low vision rehabilitation in low vision subspecialty clinic,Cairo University hospitals

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of low vision aids (LVAs) in improving both distance and near vision among patients with low vision of various etiologies and to identify the most used low vision devices. This retrospective study reviewed 149 patient files from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023. Visual acuity assessments included distant visual acuity measured unilaterally and bilaterally at 3 m using the Distance Test Chart (Lea symbols) before and after using LVAs (monocular or binocular telescopes). Near visual acuity was tested using the Lea symbols line test charts progressing from 8.00 M to 0.32 M, measured binocularly at the patient’s preferred distance and then at 25 cm using a +4.00 D reading add. Reading acuity was assessed using printed Arabic texts in different Times New Roman fonts before and after using LVAs (magnifiers, prismatic glasses, etc.). The diagnosis of ocular diseases causing low vision was recorded. ARMD and Macular dystrophies were the most common causes of low vision (18.1% and 17.4% respectively). There was a statistically significant improvement in near and reading visual acuity (p < .001). The use of LVAs improved reading and near visual acuity by 3.57 ± 1.76 and 2.25 ± 2.79 lines, respectively. The percentage of patients able to read font size 2 increased from 2.7% to 53.0% after using near vision aids. A statistically significant improvement in distance visual acuity was also found (p < .001), with a mean improvement of 2.40 ± 1.97 lines. As a conclusion; LVAs are an effective means of providing visual rehabilitation for distance, near, and reading vision among patients with low vision.