Low vision service provision: a global perspective

Changing global population demographics and effective eye care programs are tipping the scale towards an increase in nonpreventable and nontreatable vision disorders that can lead to low vision. Comprehensive low vision services are important to maintain or improve the quality of life of people with low vision. However, globally, coverage and access to services is estimated to be 5–10%. Research regarding the effectiveness of services has emerged in recent decades. This paper provides an overview of the effectiveness of international low vision models of service delivery. It presents a history of service evolution, an overview of the epidemiology of low vision, and a critique of past and present models concluding with a discussion of models of best practice.