Abstract:

 Objective To understand the ability and situation of low vision rehabilitation services in medical institutions of Beijing and to provide evidence for future planning and policy making for low vision rehabilitation in Beijing. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants 90 medical institutions in the second-tier and third-tier municipal hospitals of Beijing. Method A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the low vision rehabilitation servicesin the 90 hospitals of Beijing. Persons who were charge of optometry and ophthalmology department filled the questionnaire. The data were collected and statistical analysis was performed. Main Outcome Measures Response rate, provide low vision rehabilitation services or not, main reason of no low vision rehabilitation services, the annual workload andtype of low vision rehabilitation services, staff of low vision rehabilitation service, and types of low vision devices. Results In 90 medical institutions, the effective response rate was 95.56%(86/90). There were 6 medical institutions(6.98%) which could provide low vision rehabilitation services. Main reasons of no low vision rehabilitation services includedshortage of basic equipmentand low vision devices, shortage of fund, shortage of low vision professionals and limited source of patients. The annual workload in the six medical institutions was as low as 0-49 cases, and high as more than 250 cases. The total annual workload in all institutions was less than 600 cases. There were only 19 staff members working for low vision rehabilitation. Optical near devices were provided in 6 hospitals, and optical distance devices were provided in 3 hospitals, while digital devices were provided in 2 hospitals. All the 6 hospitals did not provide functional visual rehabilitation training for children, daily life and technical training, vocational training, adaption and mobility orientation. The cost of low vision devices was not covered by medical insurance, and mainly paid by patients themselves or fund from non-governmental organizations. Conclusion The capacity of low vision rehabilitation services in municipal medical institutions of Beijing was far from enough to meet the needs of low vision patients. The capacity of low vision rehabilitation services in Beijing need be improved. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2015, 24: 348-351)

Key words: low vision, rehabilitation