RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Provision of low vision services to the visually impaired is vital in blindness intervention programs. Such services are avenues for low vision patients to utilize their residual vision in carrying out daily tasks. AIM: To review the causes of low vision and services provided to low vision patients at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODOLOGY: Study subjects were low vision patients who had been referred by ophthalmologists and optometrists from all over Ghana for low vision services. At the Low Vision Centre, patients were re-examined to confirm that they had low vision and were suitable for low vision devices. The visual acuities of all patients was determined using a Snellen chart (with letters and tumbling E chart) followed by anterior and posterior segment examination using a Haagstreit slit lamp biomicroscope and direct and/or indirect ophthalmoscope (Keeler). All patients were refracted for near and distance and best corrected visual acuities were recorded. Patients with best corrected visual acuities of less than 6/18 but better than light 3/60 in the better were considered for low vision devices. Clinical records of low vision patients managed at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital between March 2005 and December 2014 were examined to determine the main causes of low vision and interventions given. Their demographics, clinical features, services offered and annual trend in low vision uptake were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 604 patients managed between March 2005 and December 2014 at the low vision centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital were included in the study. The mean age was 40.55+6.95 years. There was statistically no significant difference between the mean age in either sex; p-value = 1.000. Glaucoma was the leading cause of low vision in 135 (22.35%) of cases, followed by non-glaucomatous optic atrophy 62(10.26 %), retinitis pigmentosa 54(8.94 %), maculopathy 52(8.61 %) and ARMD 48(7.95 %) respectively. Uptake of the low vision services was highest in the second year of commencing the services. Interventions were mainly magnifiers, telescopes, closed circuit television (CCTV), counselling and referral to the School for the Blind. CONCLUSION: Glaucoma and non-glaucomatous optic atrophy were the predominant causes of low vision, and magnifiers and telescopes were the most commonly prescribed devices.