Improvements Viewer


Provision of Low Vision services and promotion of links with associated agencies

Aim

 To provide an in-house service for the provision of magnifiers for patients with low vision.

To promote good link with other agencies involved in Low Vision services.

To develop "best practice" for our patients

Methodology

 A bid was made for the provision of magnifiers for patients with low vison who live in our catchment area.

Training was sought from the optometry school in cardiff (which was free) and the course was post graduate level.

Patients are assessed in the clinic regarding their binocular vision, contrast sensitivity, reading and magnifier strength.

Magnifiers are bought by the Trust and given to the patients on a permanent loan basis.



Results

The bid for the service was successful and currently 2 orthoptists provide the service.

The waiting list is approximately 2 weeks.

The department has now got links with social services, RNIBCymru, Welsh council for the Blind and teachers for the visually impaired.



Evaluation

Doing this work has promoted the following:

Membership of the VI joint working group, membership of the local VI forum, Invitation to attend the National Benchmarking group, links with childrens' Low Vision Advocate and Wales council for the Blind, input into the RNIBCymru leaflet for children



Reflection

Taking this service in-house has produced a better service for our patients.

If a patient is happy with their magnifier they are placed on an open appointment so they can contact us if there are problems.



Further action

To continue with the service and train other orthoptists in the department to do this work.