• MD KAUSAR JAMAL
• Prof. Monica Chaudhry
• Zeeshan Akhtar

Abstract Purpose: To assess the Vision Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired: An Eye care practitioner perspective In India. Background: We can see the world with help of our eyesight. Reduction of visual perception occurs due to incurable daily life activities. The prevalence of visual impairment is the burden of developing countries. It has been estimates that in India 20.5% blindness, 22.2% low vision and 21.9% visually impaired.27 Poor low vision service, lack of awareness among practitioner and public are the major barriers in India. Materials and Methods: This prospective, survey and questionnaire based study were conducted among the entire eye care practitioner with the help of a validated questionnaire. These questionnaires were through speed post, telephonic and face-to-face interview amongst Ophthalmologists and Optometrists in India. Results: In this study, the mean age of the practitioners was 27.25 ± 5.356 and male and female participants were 156 (54%) and 134 (44%), respectively. Among all (n=290) participants, 27 were Ophthalmologist and 263 were Optometrist from 19 states of India. Among all participants, most of them were working at Private Hospital (69.3%), Optical Outlet (15.9%), Individual Practice (6.6%), Government Hospital (5.9%), Lecturer in Optometry (1.4%) and Assistant Professor (1.0%). For visual rehabilitation, 62.4% participants claimed to be providing both spectacle correction and low vision devices. 13.4 % said they only provide spectacle correction, 12.4% provide only low vision devices and remaining 10.4% referred to other centres for visual rehabilitation. Magnifiers (hand/stand/spectacle) 77%, non-optical devices (15%), electronic devices (3%), other devices (4%) and telescope (1%), were the most prescribed devices in low vision in practice. In this study, Retinitis pigmentosa (36.2%), Age-related macular degeneration (16.6%), Diabetic retinopathy (15.9%) and Glaucoma (10.0%), were reported to be the major category of visual impairment seen in clinics. Conclusion: The eye care practices in India barely focus on rehabilitation and prescription of low vision devices for the visually impaired. Keywords: Knowledge, awareness, low vision, rehabilitation, barriers, concession facilities, Ophthalmologist and Optometrist. Declaration: The Author has no financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Knowledge, awareness, low vision, rehabilitation, barriers, concession facilities, Ophthalmologist and Optometrist.

"Vision Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired: An Eye care practitioner perspective In India. ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.357-363, June 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907J43.pdf

"Vision Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired: An Eye care practitioner perspective In India. ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp357-363, June 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907J43.pdf