VA TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
PROJECT REPORT – PATIENT SUMMARY
ON
Optical Devices for Adults with Low Vision:
A Systematic Review of Published Studies on Effectiveness

In this report:

• What is low vision?
• Why is low vision important to the VHA?
• What are some typical optical devices?
• Why was the VHA interested in evaluating optical devices?
• Does case management help patients with mental illness?
• How did the VHA investigate this topic?
• What did the VHA find?
• Who pays for these devices?
• How will this report impact patient care?
• Websites with more information on this topic

What is low vision?
The VHA defines low vision as a loss of eyesight that cannot be corrected medically, surgically or with regular eyeglasses and interferes with a veteran's daily activities.

Why is low vision important to the VHA?
The number of veterans with low vision is growing. Low vision can affect a veteran's health, limit daily activities, and lower quality of life. For many years, the VHA has provided low vision services, including optical devices, to improve the health and quality of life for veterans with vision problems.

What are some typical optical devices?
\In the VHA, common optical devices include glasses with or without tint, microscopic spectacles, hand held magnifiers, stand magnifiers, monocular telescopes, binocular telescopes, head mounted lenses, minifiers, prisms, and closed-circuit televisions.

Why was the VHA interested in evaluating optical devices?
There are many optical devices to help patients with low vision. Many optical devices are not properly evaluated before they are advertised to patients and health care providers. The VHA wants to make sure veterans get the best devices to help their vision problems.

How did the VHA investigate this topic?
The VHA reviewed the medical literature to determine which low vision optical devices work best. Some special devices such as intraocular lens and contact lens were not included in this study.

What did the VHA find?
The VHA found that the medical literature does not provide enough information to help clinicians decide which low vision optical devices are best to use. Clinicians will need to rely on the information available to them from manufacturers, patients and their own clinical experiences to determine which low vision aids are appropriate for each patient.

Who pays for these devices?
Prosthetic aids and assistive devices are available at no cost to eligible veterans. Veterans whose low vision is not directly connected to their military service may be required to pay for some of these devices.

How will this report impact patient care?
This report will help the VHA develop ways to evaluate new devices and deliver better services to veterans with low vision.

Websites with more information on this topic

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