Current Status of Korean Low-vision Care According to a Survey of Korean Ophthalmological Society Members

Purpose: To investigate the status of low-vision care in Korea and the needs of ophthalmologists, and to define future directions for the diagnosis and treatment of low-vision patients.Methods: Twenty survey questions exploring low-vision knowledge were emailed to members of the Korean Ophthalmological Society, and the responses were analyzed.Results: In total, 158 responses were collected from ophthalmologists working in different institutions, including 62 (45.6%) at university hospitals. Many respondents (91, 57.6%) reported knowing the criteria for low vision, but approximately half (74, 46.9%) reported that they had little or no knowledge of low vision in general. More than half of the respondents (87, 55.1%) had never written a prescription for a visual aid, and only 32 (20.2%) were able to prescribe such aids. The principal reasons for hesitation in the treatment of low-vision patients were lack of knowledge (117, 74.5%) and poor medical reimbursement (41, 26.1%). Many respondents (152, 96.2%) wanted to learn more about low vision, and approximately half (71, 45.5%; 74, 47.4%) felt that the current low-vision care environment in Korea requires improvement.Conclusions: Despite the increasing need for low-vision care in South Korea, the number of ophthalmologists who can provide such care (including prescriptions for visual aids) is insufficient. Lack of education and poor medical reimbursement are important problems. Low-vision clinics must promote outreach activities, and institutions should develop programs to educate ophthalmologists.