The state of low vision services in Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Z Alotaibi
Med Sci Tech 2006; 47(4): RA215-218
ID: 881519
Available online:
Published: 2006-03-24
Introduction: Visual impairment and vision enhancement are important and relatively common issues worldwide. The present study investigated the state of low vision services in Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: The study utilised a 7-item survey questionnaire distributed to 75 Eye Care Centres in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Results: The findings show that 95% of hospitals and private eye clinics do not provide low vision services. It was found that 75% of low vision cases was handled by ophthalmologists and 25% by optometrists, although many have not undergone specialist training in low vision care. Regarding their expectations, 100% of survey participants agreed that there is the need for low vision services in Saudi Arabia. Conclusions: The results clearly support the need to establish more low vision clinics in Saudi Arabia. (Clin. Exp. Med. Lett. 2006; 47(4):215-218)
Keywords: low vision care, Saudi Arabia, visual impairment, Optometry, Ophthalmology