Mohammad Kashif, Mohammad Arshad Raza, Siraj Safi, Fahim Marwat, Samiuddin.
Causes of Low vision and Quality of Life after Rehabilitation in Children & Adults.
Ophthalmol Update Jan ;13(2):93-9.

Objectives 1. To determine the and causes of low vision in adult and children. 2. To evaluate quality of life before and after using low vision devices Materials & Methods: This Cross-sectional study conducted at Low Vision Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology Hayatabad Medical Complex during a period of six month from June 2014 to Dec 2014. A total of one hundred and sixty five subjects were assessed and referred by Ophthalmologist. The magnitude of etiology for low vision were recorded and analyzed. The patients having best corrected visual acuity < 6/18 in the better eye were consulted for low vision re-assessment with the help of LVDs.. Quality of life questionnaire (LVQOL) was administered to every patient on first and follow up visit after using LVDs in order to determine the impact of LVDs on quality of life of the selected subjects. Data was analyzed with SPSS 16. Frequencies of responses to different questions were calculated. Results: Total of one hindered and sixty five patients were include in study having adults were 102 (61.8%), Children 63 (38.18%).The main causes of low vision in children includes stargardt?s disease 22.2%, nystagmus 17.4%, Retinitis pigmentosa 14.28% albinism with nystagmus 12.69%, Aphakia 12.69%, Myopia 11.1%, Cong. Cataract 3.17%, corneal opacity 3.17%, cone dystrophy 1.59%. Among adult group the main causes were age related macular degeneration 21.50%, corneal opacity 15.68%,Retinitis pigmentosa 13.72%, aphakia%, high myopia 8.82%, congenital cataract 5.58%, glucoma5.88%,nystagmus 4.70%, oculo-cutaneous albinism 3.92%, Stargadt,s maculopathy 3.92%, cone dystrophy 3.92%. After using low vision devices the population with group of great problem reduced to only 10% while the moderate category reduced to 20% respectively. Similarly the problem with activities of daily living reduced after using LVD,s from 65% to 35% so the reduction was almost half and those who were having no problem increased from 13% to 49 %. Although the score of the population in the psychological adjustments was less as compare to other aspect e.g. reading, distance equity etc but still significant amount of population gain a reasonable score after using LVD,s. Conclusion : Efforts should be done to reduce the low vision burden of the diseases which are treatable, . Visually impaired patients due to different etiologies do benefit from low vision services which facilitate vision having dramatic impact on the quality of life of those suffering subjects.

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