Causes of Low Vision and Patient Preference for Different Types of Visual Aids: A Pilot Study

Background: In accordance with the objectives envisaged by the Vision 2020 WHO global initiative, this study was designed to reveal the causes of low vision (LV) and also patient preference for and acceptance of different visual aids. The study was performed between March 2002 and October 2003 in the Low Vision Clinic of the SABA Research and Education Center of Iran. Methods: A descriptive clinical study of patients complaining of low vision was performed. All patients were examined by an ophthalmologist for retinal disease. Non-corrected visual acuity (VA), best-corrected VA, and patient preference for a specific visual aid were registered. Results: Of the 468 (315 male) patients included in the study, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) was the cause of low vision in 19.9%, congenital disease (albinism, nystagmus, rod & cone dystrophies, different syndromes, etc.) in 17.5%, retinitis pigmentosa in 16%, diabetic retinopathy in 12.4%, retinal disease (different types of maculopathies, retinal scars, ...