Satisfaction with low vision aids

Purpose: To study satisfaction with the prescription of low vision aids (LVA) and to correlate LVA with eye disease and visual function one year after prescription. Methods: A questionnaire was sent out to 576 patients who had received LVAs in 1998. We evaluated their subjective satisfaction with the LVA as well as with the whole examination in our low vision department and compared the kind of LVA with disease and visual acuity. In addition, we observed whether additional functional deterioration led to problems with the LVA. Results: 301 questionnaires were returned (52%). They reported on high satisfaction with the management and the LVA (> 90%). 57% used their optical LVAs more than 5 times daily mostly for reading and writing (74% and 78%, respectively). However, 20 patients were no longer able to read with their LVA due to decrease of function. When comparing the LVAs, most patients with age-related macular degeneration were supplied with magnifiers (30%). Thirty percent of the patients supplied with CCTVs (43%; visual acuity 0.02 to 0.3) used the CCTV daily. Conclusions: The majority of low vision patients is very satisfied with the prescription of LVAs and frequently uses these aids. The adequate LVA is a major factor improving the quality of life. However, due to the possibility of greater deterioration after the disease, follow-up examinations on a regular basis appears to be necessary. The early prescription of CCTVs often helps to preserve the reading ability and should therefore be kept in mind by the physician dealing with low vision patients.