Development and Evaluation of an Optometry led Low Vision Rehabilitation Module for Blind schools

Abstract

Purpose: Students in blind schools have residual vision but are not receiving proper low vision care. Although special educators are aware of low vision rehabilitation, they often lack practical knowledge and training to help students use low vision aids effectively. There is currently no structured, optometry-led rehabilitation program in these settings. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop and test a low vision rehabilitation module that can improve vision, help students use their low vision aids. newlineAim: To assess the efficacy of optometry-led low vision rehabilitation module on low vision patients for blind schools. newlineMethodology: The present study was conducted among blind Schools of Punjab, India. This study was approved ethically and complied with the Helsinki Declaration. The guardians of the participants provided both written and verbal consent. There were four stages to the study: Phase I: Educator awareness survey (n=40). Phase II: Screening of low vision students (n=403). Phase-III: Focus group development. Phase IV: Randomized evaluation among 106 students using visual function tests and VFQ-25. newline