Effect of refraction and visual rehabilitation on students in schools for the blind in Zhejiang province

Objective To evaluate the effect of refraction and visual rehabilitation on students in schools for the blind in Zhejiang province. Methods In this cross-sectional investigation, 219 students in 3 schools for the blind in Zhejiang province were included. The students underwent eye examinations, visual acuity tests, refractive correction and low vision rehabilitation. Results were analyzed with a paired t test. Results The differences in visual acuity were significant after refraction (3.53±0.34vs. 3.85±0.27,t=-14.997,P<0.01). The BCVA of 153 patients <3.7, and 66 patients ≥3.7. The differences in visual acuity were also significant after using a telescopic device (2.03±0.94 vs. 2.12±1.06,t=-5.537,P<0.01) for blind patients and for low vision patients (3.90±0.23 vs. 4.55±0.24, t=-28.537,P<0.01). After using a telescope, distance visual acuity was ≥3.7 in 24% of blind children and was ≥4.5 for 80% of low vision children. Conclusion Refraction and low vision aids can improve students' visual acuity which is important to further their education. Key words: Low vision; Blind; Visual acuity; Refraction; Low vision rehabilitation