Journal of Medicine and Applied Clinical Sciences | Volume 2 Issue 1 | Pages: 15-33 | Doi : 10.67914/jmacs/rsa/2.1/15-33

Research Article

OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 30-Jun-2026

Awareness, Knowledge, and Barriers to Low Vision Services Among Eye Care Practitioners

Noopur Solanki
• Consulting Optometrist, Centre of excellence- Low vision, Nagari eye hospital, Ahmedabad, India.

Helly Thakkar
• Associate Professor, Department of Optometry, Nagar School of Optometry, Ahmedabad, India.


• Ankit Sanjay Varshney
• Associate Professor, Department of Optometry, Shree Bharatimaiya College of Optometry & Physiotherapy, Surat, India.

Abstract

Background: Low vision rehabilitation is an important component of comprehensive eye care for individuals whose visual function remains impaired despite conventional ophthalmic management. Eye care practitioners have a pivotal role in recognizing patients who may benefit from rehabilitation, providing appropriate low vision interventions, and facilitating timely referral. However, inadequate knowledge, training, resources, and awareness may limit effective service provision. This study assessed awareness and knowledge of low vision services among eye care practitioners and explored perceived barriers to service provision and patient uptake.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 100 eye care practitioners using a structured questionnaire. Information was collected regarding demographic and professional characteristics, frequency of low vision encounters, awareness and knowledge of World Health Organization (WHO) low vision criteria, provision of low vision devices, practitioner- and patient-level barriers, awareness of concession facilities, and strategies for improving low vision services. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, knowledge, service provision, perceived barriers, and recommended interventions.

Results: All practitioners (100%) reported awareness of the WHO definition of low vision, and 98% recognized the relevance of visual acuity and visual-field assessment. However, only 60% reported using WHO-based criteria in clinical practice, while 59% and 60% correctly identified the specified visual-acuity and visual-field thresholds, respectively. This demonstrated an important gap between general awareness and application of specific clinical knowledge. Regarding service provision, 66% reported providing both optical and non-optical low vision devices, whereas 33% provided optical devices alone and 1% provided non-optical devices alone. Major practitioner-level barriers included inadequate awareness and training, limited motivation, time constraints, and device-related expense. Patient-level barriers prominently included inadequate awareness and motivation, service-related expense, and concerns regarding the cosmetic acceptability of devices. Awareness of concession facilities was reported by 82% of practitioners. A combined strategy incorporating public awareness, practitioner awareness, and professional training was the most frequently recommended approach (65%).

Conclusion: Although general awareness of low vision was high, substantial gaps remained in the recognition and clinical application of specific low vision criteria and in comprehensive service provision. Strengthening structured low vision education and continuing professional development, improving access to appropriate devices and referral pathways, and increasing public awareness may help overcome practitioner- and patient-level barriers and facilitate greater integration of low vision rehabilitation into routine eye care.

Keywords

Low vision, Low vision rehabilitation, Eye care practitioners, Optometry, Knowledge, Health services

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