Low vision aids--evaluation in a general eye department.

A review was undertaken of all patients referred for Low Vision Aid (LVA) assessment in the Wandsworth Health Authority over eighteen months. The majority of referrals (72 per cent) could have near visual acuity improved and were prescribed an LVA. Of those prescribed only 23 per cent found the LVA useful at home. Fifty-three per cent of patients preferred a high reading addition or hand magnifier to the prescribed LVA. The most helpful indications to predict success in using an LVA were found to be age of the patient, the type of eye disease and the strength of magnification required.