Project: Global Mapping of Low Vision Models and Services in Developed and Developing Countries.
Globally there are approximately 124 million people with low vision (vision that cannot be satisfactorily corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery). Low vision services are important to help people with low vision improve their quality of life and maintain independence. An estimated 70 million require and are likely to benefit from low vision services. However, globally less than 5-10% of the low vision population currently access these services.
Low vision impacts on all aspects of life. Accordingly, comprehensive services are needed to address not only vision but also the social, psychological, emotional, functional, and economic consequences of low vision. Using the measure of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY), vision impairment ranks sixth, just below HIV/AIDS.
Peggy Chiang’s research aims to produce a global map of low vision services and evaluate existing models in both developed and developing countries, in order to identify priority areas of work.
This will provide a much-needed needs/gap analysis on the situation of low vision service delivery to add to the limited knowledge that currently exists. Evidenced-based data on models of low vision care and rehabilitation needs to be identified before setting priorities for better curriculum development training, policy and program development, and advocacy. Specifically, research needs to focus on improving coverage of and access to low vision services. Furthermore, more research is needed to identify what, where, and how services are delivered worldwide for effective models of care. Finally, research is also needed to identify barriers in the use of low vision services particularly in developing countries.
The final outcomes of this PhD will have been to designed a survey form to obtain data on systems and types of services provided in both developed and developing countries; identified critical success factors associated with effective low vision models of care and delivery of services in two selected countries; identified factors that enhances the delivery of low vision services; and finally, inform the World Health Organization of priority areas of work in low vision care and services.
This research will contribute to the achievement of the goals of Vision 2020 by providing an important first step in improving coverage and access to comprehensive low vision care.
The research also addresses an area of increasing need - while preventable and treatable eye diseases have declined, chronic and non-communicable vision disorders have increased. The emerging problem now is the changing population demographics and lifestyles which have and will increase the magnitude of chronic, age-related and non-curable vision conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma which leads to low vision.
Researchers: Peggy Pei-Chia Chiang, Associate Professor Jill Keeffe (Supervisor), Dr. Richard Le Mesurier (Supervisor).
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