Results of Low-Vision Rehabilitation in Vision Impaired Patients

Purpose: Diseases of the retina, the optic nerve and the cornea may lead to a non-treatable loss of central vision. We report on low vision rehabilitation in 100 vision impaired patients. Methods: Low vision rehabilitation was performed in 100 consecutive patients (61% AMD, 23% diabetic retinopathy, 16% other diseases). Most of the patients were between 70 and 90 years old (78%). In 62 cases we fitted optic systems for visual rehabilitation of the far distance (Galilei systems 54; Kepler systems 8), in additional 54 of them we fitted optic systems for the reading distance (additional lens 40; others 14; e.g. magnifier, television reader) and in 38 patients we fitted optic systems for visual rehabilitation only of the reading distance (magnifier 21, reading glasses with higher refraction and additional prism system 17). Results: In 62 patients with low vision fitted with a system for the far distance we reached an increase of the visual acuity of more than one line in 95%. In all 92 patients fitted with a system for the reading distance the reading of newspaper letters was possible. In 8 patients we could not fit a low vision systems due to handling difficulties. Conclusions: We could reach a satisfactory improvement of visual acuity in more than 90% of the patients fitted for the far and the reading distance. Especially in elderly, vision impaired patients significant improvements in overall quality of life and specific areas of daily living are possible.