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Low vision service delivery: an audit of newly developed outreach clinics in Northern Ireland *
Author(s) -
Lindsay J.,
Bickerstaff D.,
McGlade A.,
Toner A.,
Jackson A. J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2004.00227.x
Subject(s) - outreach , audit , low vision , optometry , medicine , macular degeneration , service (business) , northern ireland , service delivery framework , visual impairment , family medicine , ophthalmology , history , ethnology , economy , management , psychiatry , political science , law , economics
Recent publications recommend that low vision services are multi‐professional; easily accessible; freely available to all those with visual impairment; monitored by professional and patient groups, and responsive to user feedback. These standards were applied when developing low vision outreach services in Northern Ireland in 1999/2000. Results are reported of the complete clinical audit cycle, coupled with a patient satisfaction telephone questionnaire, which was used to evaluate the service. Of the 48 patients randomly selected from the list of clinic attendees, 28 (58%) were female, 27 (56%) over 80 years of age and 38 (78%) had a primary ocular diagnosis of age related macular degeneration (AMD). Of the 46 low vision aids issued at patients’ first appointments, 30 (67%) were illuminated stand magnifiers and 29 (63%) had magnification levels of ×5 or less. A total of 46 (96%) patients reported that they had benefited from low vision services.