Utilization of services by legally blind patients in Western Australia.

摘要

Blinding eye disease is a socially isolating disability leading to economic hardship1 and depression.2 In Australia, people who are registered as legally blind (visual acuity LogMAR >1 or equivalent field loss in their better eye) are eligible for a non-means tested pension as well as assistance with transport costs. In Western Australia, a wide range of support services and assistance is provided for the vision impaired by a single provider: the Association for the Blind of Western Australia (ABWA).The Epidemiology of Blinding Bye Disease Study surveyed legally blind patients attending routine appointments with either general practitioners (GPs) or ophthalmologists during the period from April to August 2009. Following informed consent, demographic details of those identified were recorded; and patients completed a short survey relating to support services provided by ABWA, they received and found most useful. Patients were also asked to comment on whether there was more that their ophthalmologist could do for them.