FOCUS ON LOW VISION
Getting Help: A Low Vision Patient Survey
by Stephanie K. De Long

The second part of our survey of low vision patients asks 60 patients who had indicated prior problems locating services and devices what a difference finding the right provider made.  

This just-released survey was conducted by a mid-sized provider of low vision services in the Western U.S., and the results have been shared exclusively with Eyecare Business. The average age of patients interviewed was 68, and, as we learned last month, most said they had visited an average of three providers who didn't help before finding one who did. In fact, 47 percent said they were previously told nothing could be done to help.

At interview time, the average respondent said he or she had been seeing the provider conducting the survey for an average of 1.4 years.

CURRENT CARE

Following are the respondents' answers to eight questions posed about their current care and how well they are functioning.

1. COMMUNICATIONS: What's the biggest difference between your experience with our practice and your experience before?

a. Explained my condition...35%
b. Answered my questions...28%
c. Met with both me and my family...20%
d. Training—you taught me how to use device(s)...15%
e. No response...2%

2. MOST BENEFICIAL SERVICE: Which of thefollowing has been of the greatest help to you?

a. Answering my questions and those of my family...58%
b. In-office training...25%
c. In-home training...13%
d. No response...4%

3. DEVICES: Though you may use multiple devices, which one do you use most often to help you function better?

a. Magnifier...50%
b. CCTV...17%
c. Telescope...8%
d. "Specialty eyeglasses"...8%
e. Glare-control lenses...8%
f. Other...5%

4. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: What's the single most exciting thing you can do now that you couldn't do before?

a. Read...50%
b. Recognize faces...17%
c. Watch TV...17%
d. Overall independence...14%
e. No response...2%

5. PRODUCTS: What products, other than devices that are designed to help you see better (like those mentioned in question 3), have you found most helpful?

a. Large-print books, magazines, and newspapers...33%
b. Talking watches and clocks...25%
c. Check and letter registers/line guides...17%
d. "Task" lighting...17%
e. No response...8%

6. TRAINING: Which kind of training has worked best for you?

a. In-office training in the use of devices with our office staff...75%
b. In-home evaluations and modifications with our training and mobility specialists...17%
c. Formal orientation and mobility (O&M) training...4%
d. No response...4%

7. SUPPORT: We also offer access to a variety of support services. Which have you found most useful?

a. In-office one-on-one counseling sessions...50%
b. In-office family sessions...25%
c. Outside support group...8%
d. Online discussion groups/chatrooms...2%
e. Websites that help my family understand more about my condition...6%
f. No response...4%

8. DEVICES: Before coming to our practice, half of you were using no devices at all. In addition, 42 percent were using one device, while only 8 percent of you were using two or more. How many devices are you currently using?

a. One...50%
b. Two...33%
c. Three or more...15%