T L Pollard, J A Simpson, L M Weih, J E Keeffe
Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Department of Ophthalmology, East Melbourne, Australia
Purpose: To investigate the barriers to access of low vision services in order to increase the proportion of people utilising these services.
Methods: Adults with a vision impairment (less than 6/12 in the better eye and/or significant visual field defect), who were current patients at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, were interviewed. The questions investigated self-perceived vision difficulties, duration of vision loss, satisfaction with vision and also examined issues of awareness of low vision services and referral to services. Focus groups were also conducted with vision impaired patients from the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. The discussions were recorded and transcribed.
Results: The focus groups identified numerous barriers that are experienced by consumers and others related to eye care professionals and services. Commonly reported were awareness of services among the general public and eye care professionals, understanding of low vision and the services available, acceptance of low vision, the referral process, transport, family and personal issues. The survey showed that 29/50 (58%) of participants had never been to low vision services despite most people reporting difficulties with their vision for the previous one to two years. Of these, 97% had mild to moderate low vision, 72% reported moderate or a lot of difficulties with their vision and 61% were unaware that any services were available to them.
Conclusion: In addition to the expected difficulties with access and lack of awareness of services by people with low vision and professionals, many people do not understand what the services provide and do not identify themselves as having low vision. Knowledge of these barriers can now be used to develop the content for future health promotion campaigns.
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