[Analysis of eye disease and adaptation of visual aids in low vision patients: review of 1,000 cases].

PURPOSE

To study the success of visual rehabilitation in a group of 1,000 patients with low vision.

METHOD

Clinical data on visual rehabilitation was studied in 1,000 subsequent patients suffering from visual impairment. Study focused on ocular disease, improvement in visual acuity and successful use of visual aids. A statistical analysis of results is presented.

RESULTS

25 cases dropped out due to issues in primary diagnosis. Remaining 975 patients were assigned to 9 groups: age-related macular degeneration (339) diabetic retinopathy (264 cases), myopic maculopathy (195 cases), glaucoma (96 cases), congenital maculopathy (39 cases), retinal detachment (12 patients), retinitis pigmentosa (13 cases), macular pucker (6 patients) and a miscellaneous group of 11 cases. The overall success in the improvement in visual acuity was 98% except for a group of patients with retinitis pigmentosa where a rate of only 46% success (p<0.01) was observed. 76% of cases finally accepted visual rehabilitation aids.

CONCLUSIONS

The usefulness of visual rehabilitation in low vision patients is confirmed, with the exception of retinitis pigmentosa cases, probably due to features of the disease itself. The design of visual aids should be improved in order to benefit a greater number of patients.