Eye pathology and low vision aids.

The primary cause of impaired vision was retinal pathology for 414 (83%) patients, optic nerve pathology (including glaucoma) for 33 patients (7%), other pathology for 53 (11%) patients. The following optical aids were prescribed: 35 distant spectacle corrections, 159 high-add bifocals, five high-add trifocals, 52 full-size magnifying spectacles, 102 half-eye magnifying spectacles, four stand magnifiers, and 44 paperweight type magnifiers. Of 193 patients evaluated, 122 (63%) were considered to have success with the aid prescribed.