LOW VISION CARE AND THE ELDERLY

From the results of a study of a group of very elderly low vision patients and from the rapid growth of the Low Vision Clinic (LVC) it can be seen that the clinic fills important needs of visually impaired citizens in a developed country like Australia. The causes of visual impairment in a developing country such as China are different at present. Maitchouk suggests that the major causes of blindness in China are cataract, glaucoma and trachoma. However, as improved medical services and living conditions eliminate these largely preventable causes of visual impairment, and the population tends to live longer,the causes of visual impairment will most likely tend towards those as seen in the developed countries. In this paper 2,931 low vision patients seen in the LVC in Victoria, Australia in 1977—1980 are reviewed. The causes and outcome of low vision,housing for low vision patients, etc are discussed.