Dedicated to Improving the Lives of Blind and Visually Impaired People

Grant 3: Chicago Lighthouse: The Current State of Low Vision Rehabilitation Services in the United States of America–Meeting and National Survey

Although the need for low vision care is growing, most people experiencing vision loss do not have access to comprehensive low vision rehabilitation services. Few providers offer services because of the low economic gains they derive compared with other eye care services. The Chicago Lighthouse approached RDPFS to secure initial support to study a more financially sustainable model that, if proven effective, can be replicated by other providers and, ultimately, emerge as the standard of care. This would make the provision of low vision rehabilitation services accessible to individuals with vision loss nationwide and prepare to address the current and emerging needs of the aging population. RDPFS support will fund the convening of a meeting with thought leaders, researchers, and practitioners in low vision rehabilitation to define the issues and set an action plan. Results will be used to design and distribute an IRB (Institutional Review Board)-approved research survey for low vision care provider entities across the U.S. Following the survey and analysis, findings will be published and disseminated to evaluate services delivery models and, eventually, provide the ability to trigger evidence-based change to the system of low vision care.