Why Low Vision?

A great deal has happened with eye care in the past few years, though I am sure the cynics in the profession will continue to declare nothing has changed.

There have been major changes in Scotland, and equally major changes in Wales. In England we have seen a recent review of General Ophthalmic Services, but the long-term effects of this remain to be seen.

We have seen changes to prescribing regulations for optometrists (don’t you miss pilocarpine??), the launch of National Low Vision Standards and now a recently announced launch of a UK Vision Strategy next year.

In reality it is an exciting, if somewhat apprehensive, time for the profession.  Over the next year or two there are going to be a number of changes in the profession. As a result of the new low vision standards there will be significant shifts in the provision of low vision services.

Visual Impairment, or Low Vision as those of us who qualified in the last century will remember, historically exists primarily within the hospital eye service, with supplementary rehabilitation services being provided independently via social services. This model of service provision frequently failed to meet the needs of the individual. Though I should hasten to add the standard of provision did differ greatly across the country, as there have been, and still are, some very good services that fit within this model. To a certain extent this was a postcode lottery.

The new low vision standards are not legal requirements but merely guidelines for service commissioners to establish their service upon. The standards concentrate on putting the service user (we know these as patients), at the heart of the service. It also focuses on the fact that low vision is not just about magnifiers, but should include a strong element of rehabilitation. In summary a holistic approach to patient care.

Why get involved in visual impairment? A colleague of mine once described this as the Cinderella field within the profession. However, with the increasing ageing population it is one that cannot be ignored.

From a personal point of view I gained my passion for Visual Impairment  from three people. The first my pre-registration supervisor, who will tell you that a “pre-reg is for life not just for Christmas�, my principal optometrist within the HES, and Jane Macnaughton.

It is a rewarding field to work in, and yes can be frustrating but don’t knock it ‘til you have tried it. See Jane’s magnification blog for a taster.

So what next? Watch out for the UK Vision Strategy. 

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