Low vision Rehabilitation: Barriers and prospects

Abstract

Low vision is an irreversible loss of vision with some residual potential of functional ability to execute daily activities according to the age and gender of the person with visual impairment.¹Pakistan National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey published in 2008, showed the prevalence of low vision is 2.1% in Pakistan. Punjab is the most populated province of Pakistan with more than 110 million population. According to that survey, prevalence of low vision in Punjab is 2.2%.²

The College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences (COAVS) was established in the heart of Punjab with the aim to eradicate blindness not only from Punjab but also from the whole country. Professionals from across the entire nation joined College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences for training and teaching purpose. Low vision clinic at Mayo Hospital was established in 2001 with the support of international NGOs, under the management of COAVS. It was the first clinic in Pakistan where low vision rehabilitation is provided with free of cost Low Vision Devices (LVD)