R N S Sathe
Vijaya Memorial Trust, Managing Trustee, Pune-411030, India
World Health organisation recognizes vast gray area between normal vision and total blindness. This area came to be known as "Low Vision". WHO estimates that there are 35 million persons are in need of low vision care. Maximum incidence is in the developing countries.
Despite decades of traditional service delivery initiatives, the vast majority of the worlds blind and visually impaired individual remain without special services and resources to help improve their opportunities for attaining personal independence and increased quality of life. Innovative outreach strategies are urgently needed at grass root level. By Introducing concept of "Basic Low vision Service" and providing "Assessment & prescribing Kit", to existing eye care establishments/ centres, rehabilitation of many visually impaired persons can be achieved.
Magnification of images is the solution to many visual problems. It is a tool for Education as well as access for entertainment for visually impaired person. This can be achieved by optical or electronic magnifiers. By using various types of magnifiers and considering their important properties " Low cost visual devices " can be made available easily and at affordable cost. Initial field trials show 80% people are benefited.
Use of Appropriate Technology: If the magnifiers are manufactured from optical grade plastics, large production at low cost is possible. Introduction of the kit at primary health centre will be very useful in achieving targets of "The Right to sight - vision 2020" which suggests to increase availability, coverage, and affordability to reach 90% + population.
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