Principles of assessing and managing patients with low vision
A132
Patients need not be registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired to benefit from low vision services. You should encourage patients to access low vision services as soon as they feel they need them, rather than waiting for significant visual loss, as this can lead to better outcomes.44
A133
You should assess all patients according to their needs.
A134
You should follow local protocols for the assessment and management of patients with low vision.
A135
You should ensure the patient has had a recent eye examination, which determines their refraction and ocular health, before performing a low vision assessment.
A136
You should consider the patient’s need for emotional support and social care.
A137
You should understand the multidisciplinary nature of low vision assessment and management and give patients the contact details of other members of the low vision multidisciplinary team or other relevant parties, as appropriate.
A138
Low vision assessment is rarely a one-off process, and you should follow up patients at intervals appropriate to their needs. This may be alongside, but should always be in addition to, any other eye care.