Present Utilization and Underline Barriers of Low Vision Devices among Ten Blind Schools in the Province of Punjab, India
Keywords:
Low Vision devices (LVDs), Blind Schools, Partially Blind StudentsAbstract
Background: Low vision devices (LVDs) are important for improving functional vision and participation in daily activities of partially blind students studding in Blind Schools, despite of that many partially Blind school students are not using Low vision devices.
Aim: of this study was to observe the current usage of low vision devices (LVDs) among blind school students in Punjab, India.
Methodology: A survey was conducted among ten schools for the blind in Punjab. A total of 403 blind students in the age group of 10 to 24 years, with a mean age of 17.10 years and SD ±3.4, participated in the study. The team carefully recorded all of the students' vision and ocular history, including family and systemic health, and performed an assessment of visual acuity using the Log MAR chart. Low vision devices trail was conducted for students who were partially blind. The results of this study showed a significant gap in the use of low vision devices among schools for the blind, despite evidence of their effectiveness in improving visual outcomes and education.
Conclusion: The present study concludes that the utilization of LVDs among blind school of Punjab is significantly low hence the study suggests blind school administration should do periodic Low vision assessment in blind schools, barrios such as affordability, availability of LVDs and training of low vision devices among partially blind students and special educators is a point of concern.
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