H S Sacharowitz
Rand Afrikaans University, Optometry, Johannesburg, South Africa
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study was to determine if CCTV systems purchased by visually impaired subjects are being used and if so, how often are they being used and for what purposes.
METHOD
Firstly, record cards from the low vision clinic at RAU were retrospectively reviewed to obtain a database. A total of 27 subjects were identified dating back to 1997. A telephonic questionnaire was designed to determine subject response after low vision rehabilitation with CCTV systems. Frequency of use was rated according to a five-level scale ranging from daily use to non-use. Subjects were asked to rate their level of improvement in various tasks with emphasis on reading. In addition, data noting subject age, gender, primary ocular pathology, best corrected distance acuity and CCTV system type was obtained. The type of system used, gender and pathology were correlated with success rate in the various tasks.
RESULTS
The 27 subjects were aged between 10 and 95 years, and just over half of the subjects, 14 of the 27, were female.The mean age was 68 years. Response to frequency of use showed 18 (66.7%) using the system on a daily basis, 4 (14.8%) at least once a week, 1 (3.7%) at least once a month and 4 (14.8%) not using the system at all. Of those using the systems the majority of subjects used the systems for reading (78.3%) and reported an improvement in their level of independence (82.6%) and lifestyle (69.6%).
CONCLUSION
Results indicated that subjects experienced an overall success in the use of their CCTV systems irrespective of the type of sytem used. The level of success varied depending on task type.
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